VISITORS to a Roman fort were treated to a slice of living history yesterday.

Binchester Roman Fort, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, had its best attendance of the year for the Bank Holiday event.

There were two re-enactment groups at the site, the largest Roman fort in County Durham, which has the best preserved military bath-house in the country.

The Roma Antiqua group took visitors back in time by showing them what life was like to live as a Roman soldier.

Centurions were present to display weapons and equipment and there were also Roman women, showing how they dressed and what jewellery they wore.

The Rent a Peasant re-enactment group concentrated on the non-military side of life.

They showed people what toys and games the Roman peasants played, there was a cookery demonstration, spinning and weaving. The group also conducted tours of the fort.

Deborah Anderson, assistant archaeologist for County Durham, said: "It's been a brilliant day. There's been more people here than there has been for a long time, so that's something we're really pleased about."