PUPILS from nine schools across the North-East were transported back to 1875 to hear about the lives of two railway workers and a teacher.

They were taken by bus to Darlington Railway Museum where three professional actors put on a show about Victorian times among the historic locomotives and wagons.

Robin Ellwood appeared as Francis Horne, a navvy doing track repairs. He told about his shifts - 13 hours a day in summer and ten in winter - for a wage of £1. 12s. 6d a week.

Mark Auton played the part of George Parkin, a fireman on a steam engine, who gave a lively demonstration of his job, at times working from 3am to 9pm for £1 a week.

Eleanor Crawford played the role of a teacher, Sarah Blythe, arriving at Darlington station to begin a new job at the British School, off Skinnergate.

She explained classroom work in her day, so that the pupils could compare it with modern lessons.

The show, Time Trackers, is staged by Visitation Productions. It is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Darlington Borough Council. Performances were staged last week and continue this week.

Robin Ellwood said: "The museum is a marvellous venue for a production which gives the boys and girls a real insight into what life was like back in 1875. They all seem to have been completely fascinated."