A MILITARY museum is passing on the secrets of its success to would-be competitors.

A Norwegian mayor visited the Green Howards Museum, in Richmond, to pick up tips for their own planned attraction.

Erland Lkken, Mayor of Dovre Kommune, in Gudbrandsdal, central Norway, chose to visit the museum because of the close links with the regiment.

In April 1940, as the Green Howards faced the Germans near the town of Otta they were attacked by dive-bombers, then by German tanks and infantry. Despite sustained German attempts to break through the line, the Green Howards held out.

The German occupation of Norway lasted until May 1945 and Dombs, the main town in Dovre Kommune, was the German divisional HQ.

For the past 50 years, local people have hoarded German, British and Norwegian military equipment - and now Mr Lkken, with other enthusiasts, wants to open a museum.

Green Howards curator Roger Chapman said: "We are proud of our Norwegian links and will do everything we can to help Dovre Kommune set up their museum."