VISITOR numbers at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax, rose to their highest level since 1998 to 302.460 last year.

They included 23,849 school children taking part in educational workshops and themed events during school holidays.

Leigh-Anne Stradeski, Eureka! chief executive, said “Our visitor numbers have risen pretty steadily over the past five years but the ten per cent increase we experienced last year really stands out.

“This is due in part to our brand new All About Me gallery which has received excellent reviews.

“The fact that we continue to draw hundreds of thousands of families and school groups from all over the UK 23 years after opening shows that our unique play-based approach to museum learning has long-term appeal and increasing relevance.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “I’m delighted to see Eureka! is absolutely flying and to have their best year since 1998 showsthe museum’s investment and tireless work has paid off.

“It is further proof of how big a year 2014 was for Yorkshire tourism and shows the critical role places like Eureka! play.”