'Eyes of the world' on Banksy's Bristol

If you think standing in a queue for six hours is asking a lot – no matter how impressive the Banksy exhibition at Bristol Museum has been – spare a thought for those people who travelled around the world to take their place at the back of the line.

In a back room of the museum, high up above the bustling exhibits, publicity officer Claire Royall opens a cupboard and lifts out a dozen leather-bound visitors' books – a permanent record of the extraordinary story of the summer.

"We've managed to fill 12 books," Claire says, "and you have to realise that very few people take the time to sign the book. But it gives a good idea of a cross-section of the people who made the effort to come and see the show."

As you flick through the books, you quickly realise that roughly 70 per cent of those who visited were Bristolians. Judging things very roughly, there might be a further 25 per cent who have travelled from across the rest of the UK. Then there is about five per cent who have either come from abroad to see the show, or have at least factored it into their summer holiday in Britain.

There is a person signed simply "JT from Norway" who had travelled from Oslo to see the exhibition. He writes: "It was absolutely worth it. Brilliant!"

Helen Alvanez writes that she had travelled from New York to see the show. "Marvellous," she says. "Well done Banksy."

Federico and Nibia came to Bristol from Uruguay to see the show. The couple wrote: "love it!".

"It's interesting to see how Banksy fans have all been impressed, no matter where in the world they have come from," says Claire. "There are a few jokey comments in the books, but no negative comments about the show whatsoever."

Sophie, from Amsterdam, writes: "I'm a Dutch design student and Banksy is my inspiration."

Somebody called Jeni Noolyeux, from Singapore, left the enigmatic, single-word comment: "Creativity".

Aisyah from Malaysia, travelled from the Far East to pen the thoughtful words: "Woooo! Cool stuff!".

David Greenwood from Millbrook, in New York State, thought that "Bristol and the museum was a great destination", and Bonnie Savage, from Dallas, Texas, said "Museum staff were great!".

Ruslianna Bantar came all the way from Brunei to see the show on June 18. "Awesome!" she writes.

People came from all across Europe – countries like Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Austria, France and Germany appear regularly in the books.

But there are about a dozen people who have made the farthest possible journey to the show – from Australasia.

Somebody called Rae from Western Australia must have been panicking during her time here. She writes: "Fifth day, and finally got in!"

A man called David, from Sydney, writes: "Banksy you're a legend and I hope you stay anonymous."

While Fiona Perry, from Sydney, says: "Worth every mile of the flight."

With more than 300,000 people visiting the show, Claire says it's been an extraordinary few months.

"It's amazing to work here at the moment, and hear the stories of people who have come from all over the world to see the show," she says.

But the most mysterious entry in the visitors' book purports to be from a rather more famous foreigner.

Signed "Michelle Obama", it reads: "The highlight of our European tour. London and Paris are positively dull compared to Banksy's Bristol. The kids love it."