It's a double celebration for the team at Dorchester’s Tutankhamun Exhibition. 

The county town’s popular exhibition has been voted runner-up in the Favourite Museum or Historic Attraction Reader Star Awards for 2017, organised by Primary Times.

The announcement of the award coincides with the 95th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in by Howard Carter on November 26 1922.

The Reader Star Awards are organised by Primary Times, Dorset’s leading Days Out and What’s on Guide for families and teachers of primary school children.

This year has seen record numbers of Primary Times readers voting in the awards for the attractions they have enjoyed visiting. 

Tim Batty, manager of the Tutankhamun Exhibition, said: “We’re very honoured to have been voted Runner Up in the Favourite Museum or Historical Attraction in the Primary Times Reader Star Awards especially as it is by our visitors and the readers of Primary Times. 

“We always try to ensure that visitors to the Tutankhamun Exhibition have the best possible experience, and the whole team are delighted that this has been recognised with this award.”

Mr Batty added: “The award comes at a special time as this Sunday, November 26 is the 95th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. 

“It is probably the world’s greatest discovery of ancient treasure and caused worldwide excitement and fascination about Tutankhamun. Never before had such a complete Pharaohs tomb been found with all its treasures intact and untouched. 

“This sense of ‘Tutmania’ is still kept alive today in the Tutankhamun Exhibition. Since its opening 30 years ago the exhibition has welcomed more than two million visitors and has won praise from Egyptologists, museum professionals, and the public for its innovative and exciting approach.

“We have built up an enviable reputation with schools, welcoming many hundreds of school groups to the exhibition every year. Many return year after year as the teachers say Tutankhamun’s tomb and treasures inspires the children and really brings their ancient Egyptian study topic to life. 

“Children who have been on a school visit often return with their parents so that they can share the experience with them.”

For more information visit tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk