Singapore museums attracted a record 2.5 million visitors last year, a 45 per cent jump from the 1.7 million total in 2007. Sixty per cent of the visitors were locals.

The increase was due to a combination of blockbuster events, community outreach programmes and the opening of two new museums: 8Q, the contemporary art arm of the Singapore Art Museum, and the Peranakan Museum.

The statistics for Singapore's National Heritage Board museums were released on Thursday and include attendances to free, outdoor, non-ticketed events as well as ticketed events.

Not content with the big jump in numbers, museums will aim to attract more heartlanders this year.

National Heritage Board chief executive Michael Koh, 46, said on Thursday: 'This year, we will be looking at more community-based programmes, like the travelling exhibition 10 Years That Shaped A Nation, which reached about 250,000 people.

'It showed us that there is an audience out there who want to learn more about the country's heritage and history.'

Museum-goers can look forward to more blockbuster shows, too, after the success of Greek Masterpieces From The Louvre. Over 87,000 people flocked to see the 130 Greek sculptures and artefacts from the renowned Paris museum.

Mr Koh said: 'We are committed to not only showing Singaporeans Singapore history, but also to teach them the history of the world. This allows Singaporeans to learn about foreign culture, history and heritage and to understand that we are part of a larger global community.'