International Bomber Command Centre celebrates record year

The International Bomber Command Centre features memorial walls and a 102ft (31m) metal spire

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) near Lincoln has revealed that 2023 was its busiest year on record.

The IBCC is dedicated to the 58,000 men and women who lost their lives serving or supporting Bomber Command during World War Two.

Chief executive Nicky van Der Drift said the centre had welcomed more than 100,000 visitors and hosted more than 250 events this year.

She said 2023 would "live long in the memory" for everyone involved.

Ms van Der Drift said the centre had enjoyed a 60% and 70% increase year-on-year for children and adult learning respectively and welcomed 118 different groups.

"This fantastic year has also seen more than 12,000 volunteer hours logged, a number of prestigious award wins and the visits of nine veterans, five of which were 100 or older," she said.

"To be celebrating success in so many different areas of the business reflects our significant efforts in providing an insightful day out for visitors of all ages."

In November, volunteers were recognised with a King's Award for Voluntary Service.

"[This] truly highlights the amazing efforts of those who give up their time to support the centre," Ms van Der Drift said.

"Without them what we do would not be possible," she added.

The memorial wall lists the names of 58,000 Bomber Command crew who were killed in World War Two

Ms van Der Drift said a special mention also needed to go to the IBCC's catering team, who had served more than 38,000 meals.

The centre opened in April 2018 after years of fundraising.

At its heart is a metal spire which is the UK's tallest war memorial standing 102ft (31m) high. Around it are curved metal walls listing the names of RAF bomber personnel lost during World War Two.