It all started 52 years ago when a handful of enthusiasts came up with a plan to record and celebrate the history of aviation in Suffolk and Norfolk.

This led to a society being formed in 1973 - with an old Nissen hut behind the post office in the north Suffolk village of Flixton becoming its base.

Aircraft on display at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum at Flixton.  (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022) In May 1976, the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum (NASAM) was officially opened as the dreams of those aviation enthusiasts - "to conserve, preserve and promote the history of aviation in East Anglia" - became reality.

With the museum having grown "into a widely appreciated aviation attraction" since then, it now caters for more than 21,000 visitors per year.

And now as NASAM prepares for the next chapter and future expansion "an important change" is earmarked for next year.

Having never charged for admission and just asking for a donation fee visitors could afford, the museum will be charging an admission fee from the start of 2025 "to ensure a bright future".

Featuring a collection of aircraft and aviation-related artefacts, and situated near the former RAF Bungay airfield on The Street in Flixton, near Bungay, officials said they "need to maintain our ageing collection" and "add to the attractions for our visitors".

The average donation per visitor stands at £1.83 and the museum "said the reality is, it cannot maintain the museum, much less improve it, for £1.83 per visitor".

It is bringing in a "simple ticketing structure" and, when Gift Aided, tickets may be converted to an annual pass, providing unlimited visits during that period.

The prices in the new year will be adults £10, child (over five) £5 and family (up to two adults, up to three children) £20 - meaning children are ‘free’ on the family ticket.

In a message to visitors, a museum spokesman said: "We recognise that you’re not necessarily going to spend all day with us on your frequent visits.

"This had some bearing on our deciding to opt for a ticket valid for 12 months with Gift Aid.

"For those unable to Gift Aid, museum membership may be taken out at no additional cost which, in turn, will bestow an annual pass.

"We trust that, if you are one of our many repeat visitors, you won’t feel that £10 per person is an unreasonable ask for unlimited visits over a 12-month period."