Michael Portillo and the Art Fund Prize judges check out the Hertford Museum

A nattily-tied Michael Portillo and his fellow Art Fund Prize judges have taken a look at Hertford Museum’s £1 million development project as the impressive new-look centre vies to make the shortlist for the £100,000 Art Fund Prize.

Curator Helen Giles said the tour had been “a great opportunity” for the judges to see the museum, giving them a “sneaky peek” behind the scenes.

Guardian writer Charlotte Higgins and Antiques Roadshow expert Lars Tharp also posed the questions during their excursion through exhibits.

One of ten museums and galleries in the running for the flagship annual accolade, the venue is hoping to make a shortlist of four, announced on May 19. The cash prize will be awarded in a ceremony on June 15.

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