• The Diving Museum, in Gosport, has been shortlisted for a national award

• Families have voted to see it in the top 20 of The Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award

ITS range of exhibitions and fun events for the family has seen a museum short-listed for an award.

The Diving Museum, in Gosport, is in the top 20 for The Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award.

Everyone who volunteers at the museum is feeling proud and it is quite a compliment.

Kevin Casey

The award is voted for by families and encourages them to nominate their favourite museums across the country.

More than 800 attractions were considered before the top 20 were revealed.

The Diving Museum, on Stoke Bay Road, offers a variety of exhibitions from early diving showcasing metal deep-sea diving helmets to equipment for sport diving.

It also has a history section on Royal Navy divers as well a fun section for children.

Museum officer Kevin Casey, who helped set up the museum in 2011, said he was proud to have been short-listed.

‘It was a huge surprise,’ he said. ‘Everyone who volunteers at the museum is feeling proud and it is quite a compliment.

‘We always try to make the museum an enjoyable visit for families and for diving enthusiasts.

‘Since opening, we have worked hard to ensure it is fun for all ages and that seems to have paid off. It is all about giving people, especially children, a fun day out.’

As well as the exhibitions, the museum holds different events like pirate-themed days and tours with people dressed from different periods in history.

Mr Casey added: ‘We always try to think of new ways to engage the children and families.

‘It is great to think we have been doing the right thing to get nominated for the award.’

The top 20 museums will go before a panel of experts, who will whittle it down to the finalists after visiting the museums unannounced.

The finalists will be announced in mid-July.

For more information visit divingmuseum.co.uk

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