O2 music experience unveiled

The permanent exhibition, housed in 22,000 sq ft of the O2 Bubble, will chart the story of British music since 1945 and promises to be far more than simply a museum.

Up to 1.3million visitors every year will get close to guitars lent by Rolling Stone Keith Richard and costumes from musical chameleon David Bowie but that is just a fraction of what the attraction will offer.

The interactive experience will allow visitors to explore musical trends, watch famous artefacts "come to life" and even feel what it's like to perform at a virtual concert.

Separate sections will showcase various eras of music, from trad jazz to drum'n'bass by way of blues, rock, punk and pop.

The stories of iconic bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who and modern stars like the Spice Girls and Coldplay, will feature so there will undoubtedly be something to cater for every musical taste.

Visitors can even explore the musical history of their home town on a giant map of Britain.

There is also an educational element, with free workshops and discount entry to the exhibition for school groups, while a partnership with guitar giants Gibson will give visitors the chance to have one-on-one video tuition from the likes of KT Tunstall and the Magic Numbers.

Lucy Ellison, spokeswoman for owners and operators of The O2, said: "The British Music Experience will be the must-see attraction for music lovers across the world. It will be like nothing seen before - an interactive and cutting edge exhibition which will bring the history of music and its influence on all of us to life.

"This is just the beginning of an exhibition that will constantly evolve as much as music does and will educate even the most avid music fans."

Entry will cost £15 for adults and £12 for children, while membership packages, costing £50 for a year, will give the holder free entry to the exhibition at any time and a range of other benefits.

For more information visit www.britishmusicexperience.com.