MUSEUM chiefs are inviting visitors to have tea with the Queen as part of a display on the lighter side of the Victorian age.

York Castle Museum is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Queen Victoria with a special "At Home" event this month.

Instead of focusing on the traditional image of the mourning monarch dressed all in black, the museum is presenting a young, vivacious Victoria to visitors.

The sprightly Queen is being played by Gill Stapleton, of the York-based theatrical company, Century Adventures.

She will host a tea party in Princess Mary Court - a reconstructed Victorian street - on Friday, September 21, from 6pm to 8pm.

An authentic menu will include cucumber sandwiches and cakes, while there will also be music and other entertainment. Curator of costumes and textiles, Josie Sheppard, said: "We wanted to present a side of Queen Victoria not very much seen.

"We're all familiar with the elderly queen dressed in black and wearing a widow's cap. But people often forget that when she came to the throne Victoria was a teenager, she enjoyed going out dancing and had a lovely figure."

Just 50 tickets are available for the tea party, priced £12.50 each.

To book, telephone the Castle Museum on (01904) 653611.