GLAMOUR queen Joan Collins will visit a North-East museum tomorrow.

Ms Collins is taking time out from her latest role to visit Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

The star, used to chauffeur-driven limousines, will start her trip with a ride in an open-top bus to the museum's 1913 town.

A museum spokeswoman said: "She is fascinated with how people lived.

"She only has time to visit the town, so she won't be going down the pit."

Ms Collins, 70, who is starring in Full Circle at Newcastle Theatre Royal, will be accompanied by her husband, Percy Gibson, and the rest of the cast on her tour.

Miriam Harte, the director of Beamish, said: "We are very excited that Joan Collins has expressed such a keen interest in Beamish.

"It is terrific that a Hollywood star is visiting a museum star. I hope she will take away with her some fond memories of her trip here."

The former soap star stunned shoppers and staff at Marks and Spencer in Newcastle yesterday when she and her husband turned up at the rear of the store in her silver Jaguar for a spot of shopping.

Dressed in a short leather jacket, skirt, high sling-back heels and shades, Ms Collins, who celebrates her birthday on Sunday, visited the food department.

Published: 20/05/2004