The BBC's Joe Campbell: "Charges for pensioners will go next year"

Culture Secretary Chris Smith said that from 1 April, children of all ages would be able to access the "great storehouses of knowledge we've got up and down the country".

He praised the museums taking part in the scheme as a great "educational resource", saying: "These are some of the best museums in the world, they are full of our history, our science and our art."

The scheme is intended to be permanent, and will operate at 32 museums and galleries, at a cost of up to £99 million.

The scheme is aimed at boosting visitor numbers

It is funded by part of a £290m grant for cultural insitutions to be phased in over three years.

The Culture Secretary said he hoped free access for children would boost visitor numbers.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester has doubled the number of children passing through its doors after giving them free entry from the beginning of the year, he said.

Free for all by 2001

From 1 April next year top museums and galleries will get an extra subsidy to extend free admission to pensioners.

And by 1 April 2001 the government has said free admission for all will be possible - should museums choose to offer it.

Mr Smith will launch the free entry for children scheme at the Natural History Museum in London on Monday.