THE director of the North-East’s flagship heritage museum is reflecting on a “tremendous” record-breaking year.

But Richard Evans believes Beamish Museum can look forward to “exciting times” in years to come as the open air site continues to expand.

As 2016 draws to a close, Mr Evans spoke of the “incredibly busy” past few months, with attendance figures set to break records at the 36-year-old regional attraction.

“It seems natural to look back over the past 12 months and reflect on what has been a tremendous year for the museum.

“We’ve achieved record visitor numbers in the months of July, August, September and October.

“It means we are well on the way to welcoming some 700,000 visitors this year, another record for Beamish Museum and a fitting tribute to all the hard work of our staff and volunteers.”

He pointed to the recognition in being named Attraction of the Year, at the Living North awards, and taking Large Visitor Attraction of the Year prize at the North-East England Tourism Awards, for the third year in a row.

Mr Evans said this followed from the “fantastic news” of being awarded £10.9m Heritage Lottery funding to back its plans for the Remaking Beamish project.

“This really is a milestone in the long history of our museum, the largest investment we’ve ever had.

“In a way that reveals the power of social media in these times, as the news of the award reached an incredible 1.5m people via our Facebook page!

“And, so now, we are drawing up our final plans for the exciting new developments across the museum and work will begin early in the New Year.”

Hailing the “exciting times” ahead, the funding will enable more than 30 new exhibits to be built on site over the coming four years, as Beamish bosses draw up new ways for the public to experience the heritage of the North-East.

Part of the funding will go to the £18m project to develop at 1950s town, and upland farm and expand the Georgian sector of the site, including a coaching inn where visitors can stay overnight.

It will provide almost 100 new jobs and 50 apprenticeships, with the net prospect of an additional 100,000 visitors to the site by 2020.

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