ANCIENT Norton Priory Museum blossomed in magnificent sunshine as judges made their final deliberation for the UK's largest arts accolade.

Halton's trailblazing tourist attraction has just 20 days to wait before the winner of the £100,000 Gulbenkian Prize is announced.

"It has been an absolute joy and great privilege to reach the final four," said museum director Steve Miller. "These judges were extremely enthusiastic about the place.

"They were really impressed, so knowledgeable and at ease with everyone they met."

Columnist and former BBC arts correspondent Rosie Millard, neurophysicist and lecturer Mark Lythgoe and Peter Jenkinson, OBE, founder of Creative Partnerships, toured the site on Monday.

They watched Chesnut Lodge pupils make felt hangings from leaves, artist Lesley Sutton create a tree hanging and children listen to stories in the garden.

They met adults with learning disabilities from Astmoor Day Services, whose pioneering project recreating a medicinal herb garden nominated the museum for the award.

"The camellia and rhododendron were stunning, the blossom was on the trees and everything looked pristine in the sunshine," said Steve.

"When you hear people make wonderful comments, it reminds you how beautiful it is here.

"We feel we have given our best."