Science and Media Museum unveils new galleries

The galleries at the National Science and Media Museum have been given a £6.8m transformation.

An animatronic puppet and a recreation of a community radio station are among the new exhibits set to be unveiled at the National Science and Media Museum.

The Bradford museum's sound and vision galleries have seen a £6.8m transformation and feature more than 500 exhibits - covering photography, film, television, animation and video games.

A museum spokesperson called the revamped spaces a "true labour of love and collaboration", adding it showcased collections in "new and innovative ways".

The galleries, spanning two floors of the museum, will reopen from 10 July.

The March Hare puppet was created for the 1999 Alice in Wonderland film by Muppets creator Jim Henson's studio.

The galleries will also feature an "authentic and interactive" version of Bradford Community Broadcasting's (BCB) radio studio.

Other exhibits include the camera used to document Captain Scott's 1910 Antarctic expedition and TV pioneer John Logie Baird's 1926 television apparatus.

Visitors will also be able to see a mixing desk used by electronic punk band The Prodigy, fangs worn by Christopher Lee as Dracula and an Alien head and torso from the 1979 hit film.

A section will also be dedicated to the infamous Cottingley Fairies hoax.

One new exhibit is an animatronic March Hare from the 1999 Alice in Wonderland film

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, museum director, said: "Our collections and the rich narratives they tell touch upon all our lives, from the first photographic negative and film footage to the advent of radio and television.

"Our sound and vision galleries showcase how everyday objects have the power to be extraordinary."

A spokesperson for The National Lottery Heritage Fund added: "In 1995, the museum was one of the first transformational projects in Yorkshire that received National Lottery funding from the Heritage Fund.

"After 30 years, we're proud to have supported the museum with another transformational grant for these fantastic new galleries."

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