ASHMOLEAN Museum director Christopher Brown has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of Oxford after making the attraction the most visited museum outside London.

Prof Brown was given the award yesterday to mark his 16 years in charge of the Beaumont Street museum.

Lord Mayor of Oxford Mohammed Abbasi presented Prof Brown with a ceremonial scroll at the Town Hall last night to mark his retirement later this year.

Prof Brown, who retires in September, said he was thrilled to receive the honour.

He has overseen a £61m transformation of the museum, completed in 2009.

Prof Brown added: “My intention from the very beginning was to open up the museum to a much broader public, particularly to people in Oxford and from across Oxfordshire.

“The Ashmolean is now the most visited museum in this country outside London, with a million visitors a year.

“The results of our redevelopment have exceeded all my expectations.”

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