THREE major new tourist attractions are proving to be a big hit with visitors.

Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs say they are delighted with the response since the Maritime Adventure Centre (MAC), Playship and Virtual Reality (VR) Centre opened earlier this summer.

Ian Whitehead, Hartlepool's museums officer, said: "Since the Playship opened it has been swarming with children, and the MAC and virtual reality model are proving just as popular."

The MAC offers a range of hands-on exhibits covering the three main maritime themes - propulsion, navigation and life at sea.

The playship is a large, fantasy wooden model of a sailing ship, upon which visitors can imagine life on an a ocean wave.

They can pace the quarterdeck, take the wheel, stowaway below decks or take their turn in the capstan.

The VR Centre, developed in partnership with Teesside University, takes visitors 1,300 years back to the days of Hereteu, the Saxon monastery at Hartlepool, described by the Venerable Bede.

The Historic Quay is open from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week. Admission is £4.95 for adults and £2.50 for children. Family tickets, covering two adults and three children, cost £13, while special Quay Cards, which allow unlimited access until next March, are available at £8 for adults or £20 for a family.