More than 45,000 people have so far gone through the doors of the facility in Falmouth.

The museum is undergoing a so-called "sea trials" period while staff are trained, with free admission until 19 February.

Around 30,000 visitors were expected to visit the museum during that initial two-and-a-half month spell, but almost half as many again have turned up.

The acid test will come when visitors have to pay an entrance fee, with a family ticket costing £15.50.

But museum bosses are very pleased with the initial response from the public.