A KNIGHT in shining armour rode into the National Railway Museum to help celebrate ten years of success since the introduction of free admission.

Since December 2001, visitor numbers have doubled at the York attraction to make it one of the most popular museums in the country outside London.

Emma Farley, marketing and PR manager, said: “With our ever-changing programme of free events and exhibitions, we hope to attract even more visitors over the next decade.”

The knight in armour from the Royal Armouries in Leeds was Andy Deane, who brought with him an iPod from the National Media Museum, Bradford.

Both West Yorkshire museums are also celebrating success after they were included in the scheme to abolish admission fees to make the county’s heritage more accessible and encourage tourism.