IT was full steam ahead for some of the North-East’s global residents as they were granted British citizenship at a ceremony conducted at a railway museum.

Darlington Railway Museum - Head of Steam held a citizenship ceremony for the first time ever, which saw ten Darlington residents granted British citizenship in front of family and friends.

The ceremony, the 79th to take place in the town, was held on the station platform with Stephenson's Locomotion No1 as the backdrop.

Civic dignitaries including Darlington's Mayor, Councillor Jim Ruck, and the High Sheriff of County of Durham, Alasdair MacConachie, were also in attendance, along with children from Harrowgate Hill Primary School.

A spokeswoman from Darlington Borough Council said: “The Head of Steam Museum has been chosen as a venue for the first time for the event to celebrate Darlington's Railway culture and heritage, and the railway platform including Locomotion No 1, provided the perfect backdrop for the new citizens as they made a pledge to Queen and Country.”

The museum was closed to the public for the event and museum staff treated the new citizens and their guests to a guided tour of the museum after the ceremony.