Leicester New Walk Museum attracts record visitors

The Dinosaur Gallery reopened at New Walk Museum last September after a refurbishment

A Leicester museum has seen a record number of visitors through its doors over the past year.

More than 258,000 people visited New Walk Museum last year compared to 168,000 in 2010/11.

The museum believes the rise was due to new gallery displays and the dinosaur exhibitions, which reopened last September after a refurbishment.

Sarah Levitt, head of Leicester arts and museums service, said she was delighted with the visitor figures.

"The new permanent gallery displays of German Expressionists, Picasso Ceramics and the Dinosaur Gallery have proved a real hit with families," she said.

Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant Leicester mayor, said: "The significant increase in visitor numbers breaks all past records."

The Leicester museum hopes further displays this year, including Ernest Gimson's collection, will attract more visitors.