INTECH Science Centre and Planetarium near Winchester attracted a record number of visitors in 2012/2013.

It welcomed 155,138 people, the highest figure since it opened in 1982.

That is a 33 per cent increase on the previous year’s number of 116,740.

The centre, based at Morn Hill since 2002, includes the largest digital planetarium in the UK and aims to increase interest among the young in science, technology and engineering.

Verena Cornwall, director, said: “The results of our efforts in this period have clearly brought in record visitors.

As a self-sustaining charity much of our attention is placed on providing a high-quality visitor experience.

“When we polled our visitors in 2012 we found that recommendation was the number one reason that new customers came. We are delighted with the increase in visitors and the resulting impact of the charity’s work.”

This year Intech is unveiling a new recycling exhibition and an under-fives learning zone.

It is also trialling extended opening over the May half-term holiday of 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday as well as a free shuttle bus service in school half-terms (from Winchester City Centre and St Catherine’s park-and-ride).

From June “Family Friendly Fridays” will be launched with late night opening until 9pm and home-cooked dinners.

Launched on May 18 is a series of Saturday night live-presenter planetarium shows. They showcase the realtime Uniview system, allowing the audience to fly through a digital model of the Universe.