A MILITARY museum in Wiltshire has been named as one of the top seven tourist attractions in the South West in the Visit England’s Hidden Gem awards.

REME Museum houses the history of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and has been praised by the tourist group.

Director of the museum Maj Rick Henderson said: “The museum team is delighted to receive this accolade for the second year running.

"An award like this is recognition of all the hard work that goes on at the front of house and, by all staff behind the scenes.

"The museum will continue to strive for further improvements to best portray the proud story of REME and provide the best visitor experience possible.”

Only 76 places across the country receive the tourist and visitor accolade, which celebrates attractions that provide what visit England call, "a high-quality day out."

The REME Museum relocated to MOD Lyneham in 2017. With its galleries full of military hardware and other heritage items; school visits; special exhibitions; family fun days and evening talks, the museum has proved a hit with the public.

Visit England said: “Since its relocation and opening on the Lyneham site the REME Museum has presented an excellent visitor offer.

“The most positive aspects at this assessment were: the excellent range of content and standard of interpretation in the permanent and temporary exhibitions; the excellent car park and very positive arrival experience on site; the very good catering experience in the cafe; the very strong performance of the staff across all areas of the visitor journey; and the very high standards of cleanliness inside the Museum.”

REME Museum preserves a 77-year history of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, promotes a wider understanding of the military and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm (last admittance at 3.30pm).