WITH exhibitions covering more than 200 years of Basingstoke history, The Willis Museum offers visitors a real glimpse into the town's past.

It was a popular, and undoubtedly worthy, winner of one of the top awards in the Sense of Place category.

The museum was opened back in 1931 and moved to the Old Town Hall at the Top of the Town in 1984. A refurbishment to the museum during the 1990s has given the museum a new lease of life, with a special exhibition gallery, a natural history gallery and the local history gallery, which focuses on the town.

The museum gives locals and visitors to the town a chance to learn about the area and gives people a real sense of place.

Museum director Patricia Broderick said the award was great recognition for her small band of staff.

She said: "It's a credit to our curator, Sue Tapliss, and all the staff working together. Even if we hadn't won the award, the evening has been great for all the good people of Basingstoke to be recognised."

The Willis was chosen as the winner after being nominated by a string of people who enjoy the museum's facilities.

Olive Wigley, of Radford Gardens, was one of those who nominated The Willis, saying: "The different displays are so interesting and get the brain working overtime."

Mrs Wigley also praised the "helpful and friendly" staff and said the caf is a great place to meet friends.

She was also impressed by the educational work the museum does with local schoolchildren.