A NORTH-EAST museum is one of the first in the country to receive a new national quality badge.

Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, in County Durham, has been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge showing it provides quality, safe educational experiences for young people.

The centre is run by Durham County Council and is One North East’s current small attraction of the year.

Councillor Eunice Huntington, the council’s cabinet member for Healthier Communities, said she was "immensely proud" that the museum has won the award.

She said: "It’s a real stamp of approval for the high quality activities that we offer young people," she said.

"We have always worked closely with local schools and youth groups to provide quality learning in a safe environment.

"We know that children really benefit from this important experience and it’s great to have all our hard work recognised."

The Quality Badge was developed as part of the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, a national initiative to ensure young people are given more opportunities for experiences away from the classroom.

It shows that venues such as activity centre, art galleries, visitor attractions and farms have educational value and meet national safety standards, so teachers do not need to carry out their own risk or quality assessments.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State Children, Schools and Families, said: "Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life.

"It is a significant victory in our battle to move away from the misguided perception that learning outside the classroom is a potential minefield for teachers.

"It should ensure that many more young people have memorable, exciting and valuable learning outside the classroom experiences. I congratulate Killhope on being awarded the badge."