A GOVERNMENT minister has praised the National Railway Museum’s latest exhibit.

Michael Ellis, minister for arts, heritage and tourism, visited the museum in York to see Tim Peake’s Soyuz capsule and hear more about the museum’s £50m expansion plans.

He said the capsule brought a 33 per cent increase in footfall when displayed in Bradford, and he expected it to have a similar effect in York.

“It’s an absolutely extraordinary thing to see," he said.

"I’m quite confident here at this location in York there’s going to be a further increase in footfall because it’s an extraordinary thing to see."

NRM director Judith McNicol said: “It’s been great to take the minister around the museum to see what it is we’re looking to achieve with our £50m redevelopment across the site - how we can look to bring the railways past, present and into the future as part of our story for our thousands of visitors."

Mr Ellis said the Government would work with the NRM to support the revamp “to help things along”.