CHRISTMAS spirit will be swirling around Hartlebury Castle when Worcestershire County Museum hosts a festive weekend.

The Christmas at the Castle event will feature Santa in his winter wonderland grotto on Saturday and Sunday (December 13 and 14), where children can receive a special gift.

Visitors also have the chance to meet characters from the Charles Dickens classic tale A Christmas Carol while children will be able to join in with a live-action reading of the story complete with props and dressing up.

Other activities for children include making Christmas decoration and 3D Christmas trees, face-painting, and letter writing to Santa.

Rachel Robinson, museum manager, said: “Christmas is all about enjoying spending time with family members and the county museum offers the perfect atmosphere for some traditional festive fun.”

Entry to the event costs £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and concessions. A £13 family ticket, for two adults and two children, is also available, while presents from Father Christmas cost £3.50.

For more information about call 01299 250416 or visit museumsworcestershire.org.uk