The last time Sajid Javid came to Margate was as a youngster with his parents.

But today he returned in his role Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to visit Turner Contemporary art gallery.

He said: “It’s not my first visit to Margate but it’s my first visit to the gallery.

“My father used to have a market stall selling clothing, he came to Margate lots of times and I was lucky enough to accompany him.”

“What I’ve seen today is that there’s an excellent education programme for local schoolchildren in particular and I was very interested to learn that for six per cent of visitors, it’s their first ever visit to a gallery" - Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

The Cabinet minister toured the Margate visitor attraction with its director, Victoria Pomery, and chatted to members of the community programme Blank Canvas, which brings younger and older people together to interact and enjoy art.

The visit marked the 20th anniversary of the first National Lottery draw later this month and aimed to highlight how money from the draws is benefiting local communities across the country.

Turner Contemporary has received £5.1 million of National Lottery funding, with a £4.1million contribution to the building of the gallery and a further £1 million in separate grants through Arts Council England.

And Mr Javid believes that the gallery has been a massive benefit to the town.

He said: “I think it’s made a huge difference to Margate since it opened in 2011, with not just local visitors but people from across the UK and other countries.

“I think it’s helping to put Margate on the map internationally, as well as making it a must-see place in terms of British culture.

“What I’ve seen today is that there’s an excellent education programme for local schoolchildren in particular and I was very interested to learn that for six per cent of visitors, it’s their first ever visit to a gallery.

“And if they can attract people to the gallery for their first time, particularly youngsters, it can have a transformative effect on them.

“Many coastal towns are having difficult and challenging times and it’s important to see what can be done to help regenerate them and attract more investment.

“And creating this gallery and showcasing the links with famous and accomplished British artists has shown the difference it can make here in Margate.

“It’s not just the gallery itself - since it opened a number of businesses have opened on the back of it, such as private galleries, helping to generate jobs and acting as a catalyst for investment and other cultural activities in the area.”

And today may not be the last that Margate sees of Mr Javid.

He said: “A lot here has changed since my childhood, it was always a lovely place but I think this gallery is just one more good reason for anyone to visit.

“I’ll certainly be back and I hope other people will join me.”

A Turner Contemporary spokesman said: “We’re delighted to have received a visit today from Culture Secretary Sajid Javid to mark the 20th anniversary of the first draw of the National Lottery.

“We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the National Lottery.

“Since opening in April 2011 Turner Contemporary has had more 1.4 million visitors and more than 60,000 people have participated in our Learning Programme.

“We are proud to host a visit from the Culture Secretary to demonstrate the significant work undertaken by Turner Contemporary to not only transform Margate but many individual lives within the community.”