A museum has won an award for their schools learning programme.

Verulamium Museum in St Albans has has The Sandford Award for heritage education excellence for its education programme for schools.

Almost 500 historical sites have won the award since its inception in 1978 including galleries, gardens and places of worship, with other winners in 2017 including Leeds Castle in Kent and Jane Austen's House Museum in Hampshire.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Children from Cunningham Junior School handling artefacts at Verulamium MuseumChildren from Cunningham Junior School handling artefacts at Verulamium Museum

Cllr Annie Brewster, who leads on sports and culture for St Albans City and District Council, said: "This award recognises Verulamium Museum’s excellent heritage learning programme that is offered to schools.

"It is well deserved as the team at St Albans Museums work hard to make the sessions engaging and informative."

Also developing its learning programme for schools is the new museum in the old Town Hall in St Albans city centre, which is currently undergoing £7.7m of renovation work to transform it into an art gallery and museum.

Schools interested in the learning programme at either museum can contact Eleanor Payne at SACDC on eleanor.payne@stalbans.gov.uk or 01727 751821.