Ten years ago today thousands of people flocked to one of the county's seaside towns for a first look inside a new £17m art gallery.

It was the culmination of more than a decade of planning and three years of building to bring Turner Contemporary in Margate to reality, which in turn sparked a renaissance in the previously run-down town.

Now, some 3.5 million visitors later, the internationally-renowned gallery is celebrating its milestone 10th birthday - but more quietly than perhaps previously expected due the pandemic.

With Covid putting paid to any gatherings, gallery bosses say they will still be marking the achievement over the next year by sharing stories and reflections from the last decade.

"More importantly, we will be looking towards the future and planning for the next 10 years and beyond," the gallery said.

On April 16, 2011, thousands of people queued up to get a glimpse inside the new attraction, which was designed by David Chipperfield and created to celebrate artist JMW Turner’s connection to Margate.

More than 3,000 people visited in just three hours on that day with many turning up early to see Margate artist Tracey Emin officially open the building at 10am.

TV presenter Jools Holland was also part of the launch and described the attraction as "world class".

Gallery bosses say since opening they have exhibited the work of more than 2,000 artists, including that of JMW Turner, and put £70million back into the Kent economy.

It also hosted the globally-acclaimed Turner Prize 2019 and has a number of notable visitors on its books including Queen Elizabeth II, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and former Prime Minister David Cameron.

"Turner Contemporary has welcomed more visits than it was ever imagined and become one of the UK’s leading art galleries," the gallery said.

"Today, it is much more than the now instantly recognisable building, which features on the UK £20 note.

"We are a space for our community in the heart of an exciting, creative town.

"Many people have grown up with the gallery and the learning and educational opportunities it provides; 100,000 local children and young people have worked with us since 2011.

"Margate has changed enormously in the last decade, but we still have lots to do to ensure that the work of the gallery has real impact for everyone – particularly after the last year."

On its website, a gallery spokesman said Turner Contemporary would not be what it is today without the involvement of many organisations and individuals.

Founding partner and core funder Kent County Council has invested millions into the attraction, which is led by director Victoria Pomery.

KCC last year announced a further £1.28m for upgrade works to improve access and toilets, and upgrades to the kitchen and retail space.

Work was due to be completed in January and the gallery, which is located at the site of the house where Turner stayed when visiting Margate, is set to reopen in May.

While it has been shut, the attraction has been running online digital exhibitions.

Next month it is hoped to launch England's Creative Coast with the presentation of Michael Rakowitz's creation ‘April is the cruellest month’ on the seafront, one of seven art commissions across Kent, Essex and Sussex.

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