STAFF at a North-East visitor attraction dressed as suffragettes to encourage people to vote for a colleague in a national tourism competition.

Beamish Museum workers are drumming up support for Matthew Henderson who is hoping to become the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2015.

Mr Henderson, from Witton-le-Wear, near Bishop Auckland, who won Visit County Durham’s inaugural Durham Tourism Superstar award last year, is one of just ten people across the country to have been shortlisted for the national award.

He started working at the open air regional history museum, near Stanley, three years ago aged 17 and is now on a permanent contract as an engagement and participation team assistant.

Voting closes on Saturday people can help his bid to be crowned the winner by visiting vote4matthew.com and following the instructions.

Mr Henderson said: “I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has voted for me so far. I’ve had amazing support from people from across the region and from our followers on Facebook and Twitter.

“I’ve even had Beamish visitors who have spotted me out and about who’ve recognised me and told me they have voted. I’m really grateful for everyone’s support.”

Mr Henderson has a full-time role helping the delivery of events, working with the museum’s communications team, undertaking research for on-site activities, looking at and maintaining attention to detail across the site as well as having a day-to-day visitor-facing role.

The award recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry, and is awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure visitors to England have a priceless experience.

The winner will be announced on March 14, and will be invited to attend VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence at the Sage Gateshead on Monday, May 11.