POOLE Museum pulled in 27,500 visitors in just one month after it reopened following a £1.3 million refurbishment.

More than 6,000 people visited the museum on the day of its grand reopening on July 14, which ended 21 months of closure for a revamp paid for with local fundraising and a £750,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Michael Spencer, Poole Museum manager, said a mixture of residents and visitors to the town had come to the museum.

He said: "The feedback from visitors in the first month has been extremely positive, especially for the new terrace and visitor lounge, which offer great views over Poole Harbour and the Old Town."

The museum is now the permanent home of Poole's 2,300-year-old log boat, which is displayed in a specially made glass case. And two community-based exhibitions, one called Thread, a textile project based on the history and districts of Poole, and the other, A Sense of Place - Hamworthy Voices, which tells the tale of life in Hamworthy, have also proved popular, particularly with Poole residents.

Currently, there is also a Poole Pottery and Carter Tiles exhibition, which is thought to be most significant collection of Poole Pottery ever to go on show in a museum, including some items never before displayed.

Cllr Peter Adams, cabinet portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "The first month has been a great success but we are not complacent.

"We are planning to keep changing and improving exhibitions so people can return to the museum and see something new every time.

"Our museum staff need to be congratulated for achieving this success, and having delivered this complex project to budget."