A popular museum has been shortlisted as one of the friendliest places in the country to take the family.

Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Upper Weardale, is one of five centres competing for the Guardian newspaper's Family Friendly Museum Award 2003.

Others are Falmouth Art Gallery, in Cornwall, the Museum of Farnham, Surrey, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London.

Three hundred nominations were originally sent in.

Killlhope's manager Ian Forbes said: "Just to be shortlisted was an immense achievement and a credit to the professionalism of all the staff who work hard to make a visit to Killhope so memorable,

"The awards organisers have especially requested that one of our team of information assistants, Jackie, Hamer, attend the presentation in London.

"Jackie showed the family who were doing the judging around Killhope and they all had a brilliant time."

The winner is due to be announced at the Guardian offices on Friday and receives a touch-screen computer produced by a company specialising in hands-on activities for children.

Published: 31/01/2004