HMRC's contribution to society is finally being recognised by the cultural world. The Merseyside Maritime Museum is opening a new gallery celebrating the department. It promises 'all manner of weird and wonderful attempts at smuggling and tax evasion'. But before you rush to Liverpool's Albert Dock for the inaugural day on 17 May, keen to 'explore the fascinating and controversial world of HMRC', be aware that Seized! Revenue & Customs Uncovered is heavy on the C and lighter on the R (being as it's the successor to the popular Customs & Excise Museum). That means you'll see 'an emotive display of tourist souvenirs' seized for being 'made from endangered species'. Then there's 'a counterfeit Barbie scooter [that] highlights the dangers of buying fakes abroad', 'carved African statues and garden gnomes which were used to conceal drugs' and 'a chilling collection of weapons, [including] guns, martial arts devices, daggers and plastic stealth knives'. You'll be pleased to learn, however, that the gallery also offers a guide to 'the history of taxes and their sometimes controversial purposes, funding areas such as war and defence and public services'.