Now we can surely expect the remaining charging national museums to follow their example

David Barrie, National Art Collections Fund

Free admission for all visitors will start at the Natural History Museum (NHM) from 1 December.

The current price for an adult is �9.

The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum, both in South Kensington, have already announced their plans for free entry to begin later in the year.

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Dr Neil Chalmers, director of the NHM in London, said: "The Government has guaranteed compensation for the next three years to cover the shortfall from loss of admissions income and we have been assured that our VAT position will not be adversely affected.

More than half of visitors can already enter the museum for free

"Of course we will monitor our financial position very carefully over the long term following this change in policy.

"The museum has been and always will be committed to providing exhibitions and educational programmes of the highest quality for a very wide range of audiences."

Just over half of visitors to the Natural History Museum can already go in free - under 16s, over 60s and anyone who visits near the end of the day.

David Barrie, director of the National Art Collections Fund, said: "To have all three flagship South Kensington museums going free is wonderful news ...

"Now we can surely expect the remaining charging national museums to follow their example."