A FAMILY enjoyed an even better day-out than they expected during a visit to Cumbria after unwittingly walking into the Lakeland Motor Museum as the attraction’s 40,000th visitor of 2018.

Darlington family Marina, Henry and little Max Anderson paid a visit to the heritage attraction in Backbarrow on Monday to be greeted by staff offering them surprise VIP treatment as part of the museum’s Ruby Anniversary celebrations.

True to motoring’s winning traditions, the family was presented with a giant winner’s garland and a bottle of champagne upon arrival, as well as being given free entry to the museum.

Furthermore, Max, eight, was presented with a model car of his choice, a die-cast 1:24 scale Ferrari kit.

A beaming Max said: “It was such a surprise when we arrived.

"I was expecting mum and dad to pay for my ticket and the nice staff just let us in for free.

"I chose a model car that I have to build myself and my mum and dad got a bottle of champagne. I think that bottle will go down very soon.”

Edwin Maher, Museum Director, said, “It was really lovely to see the smiles on their faces when we told them the news.

"We were delighted to celebrate our Ruby Anniversary with them.

"We hope Max enjoys his gift and we look forward to welcoming him and his parents back again soon.”

The Lakeland Motor Museum also enjoyed another summer milestone with a record-breaking day for visitors on July 29 when 1,094 people walked through the doors; the highest ever number on a single day.

In addition, 9,425 people visited the attraction throughout the month as a whole. Since the museum opened at the Backbarrow site in 2010, the team has welcomed more than half a million people through its doors.

Duty Manager Chris Williams said: “It’s been another amazing year for the Lakeland Motor Museum. The great summer we’ve had has really pulled in the visitors and we love to see everyone, especially families as lovely as the Andersons."