There were celebrations at the RAF Museum as actor and musician Martin Kemp presented staff with a National Lottery Award.

The star of Spandau Ballet hits like ‘Gold’ and ‘True’ dropped in to the museum in Grahame Park Way, Colindale this morning after its First World War in the Air exhibition was voted the UK’s Best Heritage Project.

The exhibition, which scooped the award after it received more than 7,000 votes, tells the stories of the people and aircraft involved in the Great War, and was helped with a £898,000 Lottery grant.

The museum wins a £2,000 cash prize, a trophy and will feature in a BBC One awards ceremony later this month, to celebrate the UK’s favourite Lottery funded projects.

Film star and former Eastenders actor Mr Kemp, who took to the skies in 2008 for TV series Martin Kemp: The Battle of Britain, also got the chance to try out World War One planes during the visit – although on the ground this time.

Mr Kemp said: “This is a fantastic project, not just for aviation fans like me. It is great that National Lottery players have helped to preserve these wonderful flying machines for so many young families and people of all ages to appreciate.”

Karen Whitting, director of public programmes at the RAF Museum, said: “This award is special because it is voted for by the British public. We hope our success will give us even more of a national and international profile and help to attract more National Lottery Players and visitors.”