The Heritage Motor Centre, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars, has won a prestigious award at the Renaissance West Midlands Best of the West Awards 2010. The results were announced at a ceremony on Friday 26 February at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham. The Centre scooped the ‘ Best Temporary Exhibition Award’ for the Mini 50th Anniversary Exhibition which took place in 2009. The annual awards programme aims to reward excellence and highlight best practice in museums and galleries in the West Midlands.

Tens of thousands of visitors travelled to the Heritage Motor Centre to visit the major exhibition which celebrated the life and times of Britain's favourite little car.  ‘ 50 Years of the Mini’ opened on 10 May 2009 and ran until 23 December charting the history of this great British car. The exhibition featured iconic cars from the museum's collection; including the first Morris Mini produced at Cowley in 1959 and told the story of the design, production and development of the car that became a symbol for the "Swinging Sixties". Due to its success and popularity visitors are still able to access the exhibition until after Easter 2010.

Tim Bryan, Head of Collections at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted and honoured to have won such a prestigious Best of the West industry award.  It is a fantastic achievement for everyone concerned to be recognised and rewarded for our Mini Exhibition which attracted visitors from all over the world. I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work, commitment and dedication in ensuring the exhibition was an outstanding success”.

To find out more about the Heritage Motor Centre please visit the web-site at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk