Mansfield Museum is celebrating a successful summer season with an almost 40% rise in visitors compared to last year.

During the six weeks of the school summer holiday the museum welcomed well over 8,500 people through its doors.

Along with established favourites like the children’s environment gallery, XplorActive and Made in Mansfield, which brings the town’s industrial heritage to life, the museum launched the latest in its ever popular summer exhibitions. This year’s topic was Miniature Worlds, featuring everything from Lego to live mice.

Popular events included a teddy bears’ picnic and a Lego day. But perhaps best of all was when Peppa Pig paid a visit to have her picture taken with scores of local children (and a few adults).

There was no shortage of things to do on any day, with record numbers of people enjoying daily craft sessions and families returning throughout the holiday to allow the younger members time to investigate all the exhibition’s toys and games.

Cllr David Smith, Portfolio Holder for Cultural Services, Town and District Centres at Mansfield District Council, said: “The summer has been a sizzling success for Mansfield Museum and I’d like to thank the museum’s staff and dedicated team of volunteers for all their hard work. It is fantastic that so many families from the local area and further afield have enjoyed a free day out at our wonderful venue.”

Keep up to date with the museum’s latest news on Facebook www.facebook.com/mansfieldmuseum or Twitter @MansfieldMuseum. You can contact the museum on 01623 463088.