A world-renowned Shropshire tourist attraction has seen the largest growth in visitor numbers in 20 years, it was revealed today.

Bosses at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums said new developments had helped to increase the number of people through their doors at their 10 sites by 20 per cent.

And they said visitor figures were up by 30 per cent on last year at Blists Hill Victorian Town. There were more than half a million visitors in 2009 across the 10 museums.

A spokesman said: “The season started well when more than 7,500 people visited Blists Hill over the Easter weekend, making it the museum’s busiest Easter since 1988, which was one of the most successful years in the trust’s 42-year history.

“Overall the museums have seen the largest growth in visitor numbers for 20 years ending the year about 20 per cent up across all 10, and 30 per cent at Blists Hill Victorian Town.”

Events held to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the start of the Industrial Revolution also played a part in attracting more visitors, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust said.

Steve Miller, trust chief executive, said: “The outstanding achievements of 2009 have only been possible with the hard work of all of the museums’ staff, volunteers and trustees and with the support of countless partners.”