Visitors' seal of approval for new-look museum

Visitors and volunteers have told of their delight at being welcomed back to Hull Maritime Museum following its £20m refurbishment.

The city centre museum tells the story of the city's maritime heritage as a hub for trade, migration, fishing and whaling across Britain and beyond.

It reopened on Saturday and features about 1,300 objects, including interactive displays, models, maritime art and a 40ft (12m) whale skeleton.

Katy Robinson, 27, who travelled from Driffield for the reopening, said: "It's brilliant. The work they've done is incredible and all the exhibits and everything here is so interesting."

She added: "It's one of those places that if you live in the area you probably came with your grandparents when you were younger, or on a school trip.

"I was really excited to come and see the refurbished building.

"It's brilliant - the work they've done is incredible and all the exhibits and everything here is so interesting."

Ruth Toynton, 43, and her family were among the first to step inside.

"We are just really impressed," she said. "We booked out tickets as soon as they were available as we knew we wanted to come."

She said the family had visited in the past, and it was nice to see how it had changed.

"It's also nice to see this amount of investment in Hull," added Toynton.

Janet Bark, 72, a volunteer at the museum, described it as "absolutely beautiful".

She said she could not wait to return.

"I got my uniform on, and it was like going to my first shift.

"I got on the bus, and I was like, 'the maritime [museum] is opening and I'm going to be there'.

Ralph Marks, 82, who has also returned as a volunteer, said the new-look museum was wonderful for the city.

"People should take advantage of it," he said.

He said the museum was a fantastic resource for both school children and adults, and he expected it to "draw people in from far and wide".

"It's a great asset for Hull," he added.

Entry is free. However, visitors are advised to book during busy periods.

The restoration was funded by the city council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hull City Council leader Mike Ross said: "There's 50% more floor space, more exhibits, and people are going to be able to see parts of the building they couldn't get to before.

"We know that the public are going to love it and are going to want to come time and time again."

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