Five million pieces of Lego to be shown in museum

Whole towns and villages made out of Lego will be on display

A museum featuring about five million Lego bricks is set to open to inspire "small and big children".

Brickz Museum will open to the public in Milton Keynes on 8 April.

Sabrina Kelley, a volunteer working on the project, said it aimed to "tell the story and show items even the biggest Lego enthusiasts might not have seen before".

The museum will explain the story of the company that was founded in Denmark in 1932.

There will be themes of the past, the present and the future

Ms Kelley said the museum, on Secklow Gate West, was not affiliated to the Danish company and was working to become a charity.

It is the mastermind of Jason Joiner, the man behind the National Film and Sci-Fi Museum and The Pixel Bunker, which are both housed in the same building.

"It's his collection with some items on loan", Ms Kelley said.

"It's dedicated to all things Lego. It will explain its history, from when it started with wooden toys to showing off three main themes – the past, the present and the future – and show items even Lego enthusiasts might not have seen before.

"We're trying to get a balance from everyone having a great experience, showing what you can do with Lego but also [inspiring] small and big children."

Brickz Museum will open next month

The fee-paying attraction will have giant displays, mostly behind glass, showing pirates, castles, spaceships and towns.

Some items made exclusively for the Asian and US markets and not seen before in Europe will be on show.

Lego Group is a private company founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen. It is owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder.

"Lego" is an abbreviation of the Danish words "leg" and "godt", meaning "play well".