A military museum in Maldon has been recognised as one of the best across the UK.
The Combined Military Services Museum in Station Road has been named by AA Rated Trips after a Visit England assessment.
Founded by Dr Richard Joseph Wooldridge, he had started collecting military items from the age of seven in 1968, with a dream which became reality.
It was officially recognised as a charity in 1996.
It gathered momentum, with donations from private and public funds, until finally in 2001 the museum building was found.
They finally opened the doors to the public on July 5, 2004, after 36 years of planning.
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The reason for it being named was summarised as: "Not just a collection of guns and uniforms, the Combined Military Services Museum has lots of other, more unusual items.
"On display are genuine items used in espionage, a collection of artillery and munitions, fragments of WW1 German Zeppelins and arms and armour dating back to 1800BCE.
"The museum is the outcome of a childhood fascination of the founder, Dr Richard Joseph Wooldridge, who started collecting military items in 1968 at the age of 7."
A Visit England assessor said: "A fantastic collection of authentic military items, reflecting centuries of history."
To find out more about the museum, visit About us – Combined Military Services Museum
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