Following their launch earlier this year, the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence are set to take place again next year with two new awards and partnerships.

Organiser, the Museums & Heritage Show, has announced ‘Heritage’ from Dulux and The Independent are to support the awards in 2004, which will take place on 12 May to coincide with the opening day of the Museums & Heritage Show.

The first of the two new awards is the Award for Excellence Overseas, designed to recognise the many UK-base contractors and suppliers working across the world. The award is supported by UK Trade and Investment (formally Trade Partners UK).

The Independent Award will reflect public opinion of attractions. A campaign will be launched at the beginning of the year in The Independent and online allowing the pubic to vote for their favourite attractions.

Anna Preedy, director of the Museums & Heritage Show, said: “The Awards for Excellence have provided us with a much needed platform to celebrate the incredible achievements of the museums and heritage industry in the UK.

“With the support of ‘Heritage’ from Dulux and The Independent, we are looking forward to an even bigger and better event in 2004.” Details: www.museumsandheritage.com