SANTA and Mrs Claus will sail into the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum to offer a Christmas shopping respite.

Staff at the Middlesbrough museum will dress up as elves and fairies and there will be free admission tomorrow and Thursday. There will be crafts and face painting.

Learning and access officer Jenny Phillips said: "We want families to come along, relax and get involved in our activities - away from the pressures of last minute Christmas shopping."

The museum, in Stewart Park, Marton, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm. It will be closed from Christmas Eve until Tuesday, December 28 and on January 1.

Published: 21/12/2004