ONE THOUSAND visitors helped create a Victorian festive mood at a museum charity event.

It is the first year the Victorian Christmas celebrations at Preston Hall Museum have been held in aid of charity.

But Stockton Borough Council's museum service got into the spirit of things and will donate proceeds to the town mayor's chosen charity, Butterwick Hospice.

With festive storytelling, Christmas card and decoration craft sessions, youngsters and adults were joined by Scrooge, who also popped down to the Eaglescliffe park.

Paul Lake, visitor services co-ordinator at the museum, said: "More than 1,000 people came along on Saturday - the figures went beyond all our expectations.

"We have held the Victorian Christmas here in years gone by but, this year, we decided to donate funds raised to the Butterwick Hospice."

Activities also included face painting, a ventriloquist show by Eileen and Joe, a magician and Santa Claus.

Choirs entertained the crowds and there were also stalls from the hospice with gift ideas.

For details about events at the museum, call 01642-527375.