A TOP Gwent tourist attraction is shortlisted for Britain's biggest art prize.

Big Pit, Blaenavon, joins nine other UK museums and galleries competing for the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year.

The winner of the award wins 100,000, and Big Pit is the only Welsh attraction on the shortlist.

Last year was the museum's biggest year in more than a decade, with more than 141,000 visitors passing through its doors.

Big Pit re-opened last February after an extensive 7.1 million redevelopment of the site.

The attraction was given a facelift with new galleries, restoration of the pithead and pithead baths, and a new conservation workshop and store.

Entertainer Max Boyce was given a nostalgic tour of the site to launch the new attractions.

National Musems and Galleries of Wales deputy director general Eurwyn Wiliam said he was delighted with the announcement.

"As someone closely involved with the redevelopment at Big Pit, I have seen at first hand the transformation of the site, and the important work undertaken by a truly committed group of people," he said.

"Last year was a fantastic year for Big Pit, with a record number of visitors, and today's announcement is a great start to the new year, and a boost for the site as it prepares to re-open for the 2005 season.

"The Gulbenkian Prize is something all museums aspire towards, and we are therefore delighted to have been placed on this year's shortlist."

Katherine Stowers, Big Pit's marketing manager, said it was excellent news for Big Pit and Wales.

"We are the only Welsh museum in the running this year and we want to bring this award home to Wales.