Please note: Either your browser does not comply with current Web Standards or it has been unable... Concorde award bid starts

A couple of steps further in reveals the distinctive British Airways sign followed by the enormous span of the wings. And then, when they are finally fully inside, the whole impact of the 173ft long "Queen of the Skies" causes a surreal silence of appreciation.

"Wow," sums up a little boy in awe, before he carefully walks round the grand 110 tonne aircraft. He makes his way to the gigantic front wheel and proudly touches it, before saying to his dad proudly, "Look - I have touched Concorde."

It may only be 11am on a rainy Saturday morning but that hasn't stopped visitors of all ages flocking to catch a glimpse of Concorde at the Museum of Flight in East Fortune. Many have been here before and have come back, bringing intrigued friends and relatives, while others have finally decided it's time for them to see the legendary Golf Bravo Oscar Alpha Alpha for themselves.

One such visitor is Edinburgh's Lord Provost, Lesley Hinds, who on Saturday paid the East Lothian museum a visit following the news that it has been shortlisted for the prestigious Gulbenkian prize - the Oscar of the museum and gallery world.

It's a prize, which the National Museums of Scotland (NMS), which runs the flight museum, believes it can win thanks to its world-famous artefact - and the support of Evening News readers who can pledge their support over the internet.

"I can't believe I haven't been out here earlier," remarks Lesley as she catches sight of Concorde for the first time. "It's not as if I've never seen Concorde before - everyone sees it on the TV, but it's not until you're standing in front of it that you really see what it's all about."

But visitors aren't limited to simply looking at the supersonic jet as the highlight of the visit is a £3 on board tour - much cheaper than the standard return from London to New York which used to cost £6636. And like its famous passengers who ranged from the Queen to Sean Connery and Robbie Williams, you do get the experience of handing over a "boarding pass" before climbing the steps into the jet.

She says: "It's much smaller than you think it will be but it looks very grand. You can tell that this would have been the ultimate way to travel before first class became all about beds and things.

Walking through the carpeted narrow cabin following the history of the supersonic flight, the Lord Provost samples the ultimate in elitism. All the seats were first class but there was an unspoken rule about who sat where - royalty and celebrities at the front, chief executives in the middle and the "trip-of-a-lifetimers" at the back.

But while she may be allowed to sit, however briefly, in the Queen's favourite seat - A1 - her pleas for access to the tiny cockpit in the elegant nose with all it's complex instruments was prohibited for conservation purposes.

And it's not just the Lord Provost who's impressed. One visitor, 70-year-old Aileen Mackinnon, from Comiston says: "It's the first time I've been and I thought it was extremely good. I'd definitely recommend it, and I think the best bit is the feeling of actually being inside the plane, seeing what it was really like."

Her friend, Judith Jordan, 66, from Birmingham agrees. "It's just a magnificent machine, and I think it's fantastic to be able to see it, touch it and go on board."

For Margaret Main, 62, from West Lothian, again it was being able to board the plane, which makes the museum stand out. She says: "It's unbelievable. It's the whole feeling of being able to walk on Concorde. You could never have afforded to do it then so it's great to do it now. I always wanted to fly on it.

"One of the biggest crowd pullers is the opportunity for visitors to go on board; it's no longer just for the elite and everyone can be a part of it."

Six-year-old Jack Sinclair from Joppa was certainly excited by it all. He says: "It's amazing. The best bit was seeing the pilot seat. I've been on a plane before but this is the best."

His mum, housewife Susan Sinclair, 34, agrees: "My dad worked on its reconstruction here so it's great to see it all... the tiny windows, the smallness of it inside. It's spectacular inside."

"It's so important that you can get the experience of being in it. I'm not surprised at all that visitors are still coming back again and again...I'll be back.

"And I can definitely say it's worthy of the prize - and would urge the people of the Lothians and all the visitors from elsewhere who've been to the museum to show their support."

Chaired by professor Lord Robert Winston, the panel includes Historic Royal Palaces chief executive Michael Day, art critic and ICA artistic director Ekow Eshun, V&A Museum of Childhood director Diane Lees, vice-chairwoman of the British Association of Friends of Museums Dr Elizabeth Mackenzie, journalist and author Joanna Moorhead, and the broadcaster Dan Snow.

But public opinion also counts, which is why it's important to register your views on why the Museum of Flight should be awarded the prestigious prize.

To show your support and to tell the judges just why you think the Museum of Flight should win, simply log on to www.thegulbenkianprize.org.uk and click on the link below "Let us know what you think". Your support could make all the difference.

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