THE North-East's first national museum has made it to the shortlist for Britain's biggest art awards.

Staff at Locomotion: National Railway Museum, in County Durham, were told today that they have reached the final four for the Gulbenkian Museum of the Year.

The Shildon museum is up against the National Mining Museum of Wales, the Coventry Transport Museum and the Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life, in Norfolk.

The news has been greeted with pride by Sedgefield Borough Council and the National Railway Museum, which built the multi-million pound museum.

Councillor John Robinson, the borough's lead member for culture and recreation, said: "This is tremendous news. Locomotion has captured the imagination of the people, not only here in Shildon and the North-East, but visitors from all over the United Kingdom and from around the world."

The finalists were chosen because of their link to Britain's industrial heritage and economic regeneration.

Sir Richard Sykes, chairman of the judges, said: "In telling the stories of working people up and down the land, the Gulbenkian finalists have helped us understand and take pride in our own histories.

"Museums that tell these stories well have created a new audience of museum-goers and have turned the stereotype of an exclusive, quiet and intimidating experience on its head."

The judges will return for two visits to the museum before declaring the winner on May 26. The first visit will be on April 18.

If Locomotion wins, it will secure £100,000 prize money.