Alex Medhurst, general manager of the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, centre, with Eugene Bache and Rosemary Mason

The National Cold War Exhibition at RAF Cosford has welcomed its millionth visitor.

The milestone figure crowns a successful year for the museum which was opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in February 2007.

General manager Alex Medhurst said he was delighted that the museum had now been visited by so many people.

He said: “In many respects, this is the perfect end to a great year for both the National Cold War Exhibition and the museum.

“The accolades we have received since the opening of the National Cold War Exhibition and our growth in visitor numbers are indicative of the innovation, talent and ingenuity that can be found at the museum.

“I am confident that thanks to the plans that we currently have in place for new exhibitions, events and additions to our collection in 2010, next year will also prove to be yet another memorable one for Cosford.”

The lucky millionth visitor today received a leather-bound copy of the Forty Year Winter book, which details the events of the Cold War, signed by Sir John Day, chairman of trustees along with £50 in vouchers to spend in the Royal Air Force Museum shop, champagne and lunch.

The lucky visitor was Mrs Rosemary Mason, from Wolverhampton, who visited with her brother, Eugene Bache, from Northumberland.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the museum staged a number of Cold War-themed events which included the creation of a mini wall for visitors to decorate with graffiti.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm and last admission is 5pm. Entry to the museum is free.

For further information, call the Royal Air Force Museum on (01902) 376200 or visit the website www.raf museum.org