A NORTH-EAST woman got a surprise when she became a a new attraction's 500,000th visitor.

Ruth O'Leary, enjoyed VIP treatment at Sunderland's Museum and Winter Gardens with her mother Kathleen O'Leary.

After being informed of her significance to the attraction, which will be officially opened by the Queen, she got a special tour.

She said: "I was lucky to have a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum and thought it was fascinating. I have made return visits since and the new layout is stunning."

Neil Sinclair, senior curator, said: "The museum was always a popular place to visit and we knew that the redevelopment and the addition of the stunning Winter Gardens would prove to be popular.

He said it was amazing to get so many visitors in the first nine months, making it the most popular cultural visitor attraction in the region.

"The response from visitors is excellent, and people are enjoying their visit so much they are coming back time and time again," he added.

* The Museum and Winter Gardens is open from 10am-4pm on Mondays, 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and 2-5pm on Sundays. Admission is free.