A VISITOR attraction in north Durham is staying open seven days a week this winter to cope with demand.

Beamish Museum, near Stanley, has announced that it will continue to welcome visitors every day until the end of its Christmas celebrations on January 3, closing only on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Richard Evans, the museum director, said: “Just a few years ago Beamish used to be closed over the entire winter period and we were really known as a place to visit over the summer holidays.

“How things have changed in the past few years. We can now be as busy at the weekend in the run-up to Christmas as we are over the August Bank Holiday.”

Christmas at Beamish runs from November 14 to January 3 and includes a new Frost Fair, open on weekends and school holidays.

Seasonal celebrations will be launched when Father Christmas arrives with a magical parade, which includes two "unicorns".

After this, the museum will be open five days a week for a short spell, closed Mondays and Fridays and then will be back open seven days a week from February 13.

Mr Evans said: “We came to the decision in response to the increasing popularity of our Christmas at Beamish event.”