DANCERs have enjoyed a 1950s style celebration in preparation for a week of recreating history.

The tea dance at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Saturday afternoon (February 3) was organised by the Beamish Museum.

Visitors were able to try on 1950s outfits and handle artefacts from the era as part of the tea dance.

The event was held in advance of a 1950s-themed week being held at the museum during the February half term week.

The Tea Dance was part of Beamish’s Celebrating Community Heritage project and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A spokeswoman for the museum said: “Beamish is entering an exciting new phase of development and is now actively collecting objects from the 1940s through to the 1990s in order to develop the Museum for the future.

“During half-term week, from February 16 to 24, this new venture is being launched with a collecting fair at the Museum.

“If you have any objects you would like to donate to bring them along during half term or contact us on 0191-3704000.”