This enables the museum to retain this brilliant accreditation for a sixth consecutive year.

By posing as an ordinary visitor, the inspector was able to make a detailed assessment of the Museum, the quality displays and the broader visitor experience, and awarded Visit England’s top accreditation.

The recent inspection found the local museum and gallery offered the visitor an overall quality experience, stating that ‘Warrington is very fortunate to have such a comprehensive and enlightened cultural facility’.

The report continued: ‘The breadth and depth of the achievement of this enterprising and enlightened Museum and Art Gallery enable it to punch well above its weight! Many larger and better endowed establishments could learn much from the work that is being done here.’

The permanent collections ensured the top award, with assessors commenting on the very special charm of the Victorian Museum and the great skill of the special temporary exhibitions.

The museum offers vending catering facilities, The WREN Craft shop, regular craft sessions and much more.

Current exhibitions include ‘Osmosis’, an exhibition of stitched textiles by Threadmill, inspired by local 1960s fashion icon Ossie Clark, and ’60 and counting’, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with an exhibition of objects, memories, historial events and trivia from the last 60 years.

For more information visit the website http://www.warringtonmuseum.co.uk/

Warrington Museum and Art Gallery is open Monday – Friday 10am – 4.30pm, Saturdays 10am – 4pm and is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Picture: Museum staff Mike Roberts and Roger Jeffery