NAPOLEONIC soldiers took over the grounds of Kirkleatham Hall Museum in Redcar at the weekend as they searched for new recruits for their army.

An historic scene was re-enacted at the museum by the 68th Display Team who regularly meet to act out military history.

The display group dressed up as the 68th Durham Light Infantry just back from the 1814 Peninsular War, and pitched camp in Teesside to seek recruits before setting off for Canada.

Museum curator Phil Philo said: "We're delighted to have them here. We're continuing a long tradition of using re-enactment groups and for the first time it fits in with the period of the hall itself, which was built in 1709."

There were 34 uniformed soldiers at the museum as well as civilians and an assortment of camp followers all in traditional dress.

The soldiers gave demonstrations of drill, tactics and musketry and visitors were able to ask questions about living in the 1800s.