The National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC) has received a major funding award.

The museum, in Discovery Quay in Falmouth has secured £96,500 to enhance its major temporary exhibitions programme.

The NMMC is among 35 museums and galleries to receive a share of £4 million funded jointly by the government and Wolfson Foundation.

Sarah Newton, the Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, said: “I’m a long-standing supporter of the NMMC and am delighted they have secured this funding.

“Temporary exhibitions are an important part of the museum’s offering, helping to promote and enrich people’s understanding of maritime environment and heritage.

“This funding will help to raise the profile of the museum and attract more local residents, students, schoolchildren and tourists who find themselves in our beautiful county.”

Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, said: “Our museums and galleries are among the best in the world and we are rightly proud of these institutions.

“The DCMS/Wolfson Fund demonstrates how the government and philanthropic organisations can work together to boost our museum sector.

“We want people up and down the country to enjoy culture and heritage wherever they are.

“The 35 grants awarded today will make important contributions towards improving the visitor experience, ensuring our wonderful collections are open to as many people as possible.”

The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund has so far given £48million to help 382 projects at 114 museum groups and galleries since it was started in 2001.

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation said: “We are delighted to provide this funding through our long-standing partnership with DCMS – an excellent example of how we as a charity can work together fruitfully with government.

“We are grateful to DCMS for matching our funding.

“One of the great treasures of this country is the sheer quality and range of our heritage collections – stored and displayed in wonderful museums and galleries.

“This funding will help to provide even better visitor experiences and greater awareness of these fascinating collections.

“A particular joy of this funding round has been the impressive mix of the projects supported – from a dress collection at Carlisle’s Tullie House to temporary exhibition space in Falmouth’s National Maritime Museum.”