THE glory days of the British Empire will be celebrated at a North-East visitor attraction at the weekend.

Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is holding patriotic celebrations to mark Empire Day on Saturday and Sunday.

Shops in the 1913 town will be decked out in Union flags and red, white and blue bunting.

The Co-op grocery shop window will feature a colourful display of goods from the colonies; teas from Ceylon and India; sugar cane and bananas from Jamaica and the Bahamian Islands; and produce from New Zealand and Australia.

The Borneo Band from Durham Army Cadet Force will perform in the town's bandstand both days.

Empire Day was first celebrated in 1902, following the end of the Boer War.

Held on May 24 each year - the birthday of Queen Victoria - it was intended to encourage people, especially children, to be aware of their duties as citizens of the British Empire.

It was celebrated each year until 1959, when it was re-named Commonwealth Day.