ONE of the North-East's most popular museums put out the red carpet for its nine millionth visitor.

Brian Smith, his wife Jillian, and children Emma, eight, and Jack, six, were given VIP treatment by staff at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, after being picked from the queue.

Mr Smith, of Sunderland, said: "This is the last thing I would have expected.

"I was last here 12 years ago and heard how much it had changed from my daughter, so I decided to come and see it myself. I will definitely be back again."

Emma said: "I am really excited. I have been here before and it will be really good for my brother to see the place."

The family were given a bag of gifts, certificates marking the occasion, and a miner's lamp, a symbol of Beamish's commitment to celebrating the region's industrial heritage.

Museum spokesman Jacki Winstanley said: "This is an important day for the museum.

"We are now looking forward to our next million visitors."

About 50,000 people visited Beamish Hall in 1971 when it staged an exhibition on the proposals for the museum.

The following year, when the attraction opened, about 80,000 people passed through its doors.

Figures have steadily risen and the museum now attracts about 300,000 people a year.