TWO local museums have been “highly commended” in a ceremony honouring the best museums and galleries in the country.

The David Hockney Gallery at Cartwright Hall in Lister Park opened less than a year ago, but was highly commended in the Permanent Exhibition category at the Museums and Heritage Awards, which were held on Wednesday night.

The gallery narrowly lost out to The Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed at the Brooklands Museum.

The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford had also been nominated in the category for its Wonderlab.

Also recognised was the Bronte Parsonage Museum, which was highly commended in the Best Museum Shop under £500,000. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter ultimately won the category.