Science centre, At-Bristol, has been awarded a government award of £825,000.

Although the sum is only half of the figure the centre was hoping for, the single-payment, revenue funding is nonetheless thought to be the largest of its kind anywhere in England.

John Durant, chief executive, said: “Although we did not get as much as we asked for, this award clearly shows that the government recognises the quality and the importance of what At-Bristol offers to the public.”

Similar, though smaller, awards were also made to Intech in Winchester, the National Space Centre in Leicester, Magna in Rotherham and Think Tank in Birmingham.

At-Bristol, which celebrates its fourth anniversary in July, has attracted over two million visitors during its existence.