HUNDREDS of people attended the reopening of St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday.

The Lymington institution has undergone a multi-million pound renovation.

At the opening, Lord Ralph Montagu cut the ribbon before crowds flocked into the building.

Entrance to the museum was by donation for the opening day.

Mark Tomlinson, director of St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, said it was fantastic to see so many people at the launch.

"It's wonderful to see old friends and supporters who have come along, but I'm so pleased to see so many new faces. People visiting the town for the first time as well as locals coming in and really enjoying themselves," Mr Tomlinson said.

"My hand is getting sore from so many handshakes with people.

"It's been a huge team effort. We've got a great group of more than 100 volunteers who really keep this place going. With a small number of paid staff and a board of trustees, everybody has worked their socks off for many months."

Along with the full internal refurbishment of the former school building, a large excavation has taken place on the entrance, with a Geoffrey Dashwood sculpture of a peregrine falcon greeting visitors.