The names of the 10 museums and galleries shortlisted for the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year 2005 have been announced.

The Big Pit, National Mining Museum of Wales in Blaenafon; the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge; the Coventry Transport Museum; the Foundling Museum in London and Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon were all included in the list.

Two art galleries also made this year’s shortlist – Compton Varney in Warwickshire and the Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Art Gallery in Lochmaddy, Scotland.

Also in the running for the prize are three smaller museums – The Museum of Barnstable & North Devon, Backs to Backs in Birmingham and the Time and Tide: Museum of Great Yarmouth Life.

Sir Richard Sykes, chair of the judging panel, said: “This year’s shortlist proves again that throughout the country, museums and galleries, both large and small, are alive and well.

“Not only that, they are constantly looking to innovate, with new and imaginative offerings for the visiting public.”

The four finalists will be announced by the end of March.