The War Horse team paid a special visit to one County Durham museum last week in a touching tribute for remembrance day.

Beamish Museum played host to a very special guest on Thursday (November 7) - the team from the stage production of War Horse which is playing at Sunderland Empire until November 16.

During the visit, to mark 110 years since the end of the First World War, the puppet Joey met the museum's Clydesdale horse Mick - a real life example of a working horse that would have been used in wartime.

War Horse at Beamish.War Horse at Beamish. (Image: MATTHEW LLOYD) Joey, who in the book by Michael Morpurgo makes an unbreakable bond with soldier Albert, was made in South Africa by the Handspring Puppet Company and comes to life on stage.

Rhiannon Hiles, Chief Executive of Beamish Museum said: “It was wonderful to have War Horse here and to see the actual Joey with our horse Mick. It was quite emotional when he came out of the hemmel. I felt a bit choked up and had a tear in my eye.

“It’s significant for us to host this, not just because we’re partners with Sunderland Empire, but because it’s brilliant to work together with anchor institutions across the north, especially at this time of year.

“Yesterday being Remembrance Sunday, the staff came down into our 1900s Town - but we’re not just about the men and the women who fought and lost their lives, we’re also about the animals and we promote that as part of what we do, so to have had Joey here is very emotional.

A soldier from Beamish, Actor Owen Dagnall (R, playing the role of Albert) and Puppeteer AlexandraA soldier from Beamish, Actor Owen Dagnall (R, playing the role of Albert) and Puppeteer Alexandra (Image: MATTHEW LLOYD)

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“When you think about what took place back then, it was very significant and made quite a lot of impact for people. I know it’s a puppet, but it doesn’t feel like a puppet. It feels real.”

Actor Owen Dagnall from County Durham, who plays Albert in the stage adaptation, added: “It’s the humanity in it.

“It’s based on Joey and the bond he has with Albert. It’s humanity in its purest form. We need humanity - the rawness of it is very special. It’s very captivating.”