A MUSEUM is offering children the chance to roll up their sleeves and experience the true meaning of Victorian elbow grease this Easter.

Ripon’s Workhouse Museum is offering youngsters the chance to try out household cleaning as it was done during Victoria’s reign.

There will be the chance to find out the hard work laundry day would entail using dolly tubs, washboards and a mangle.

They can also knit some cotton dishcloths, beat some rugs and concoct some historical cleaning products to take home.

Carrie Philip, learning manager at the museum said: “We’re never happier than when we’re making children work at the workhouse.

“Spring cleaning provides great opportunities for children to be useful. All of the family can take part and matron will be patrolling the corridors to make sure that high standards are maintained.

“We shall also be baking bread crisps to provide some nourishment for hard workers.”

The Easter activities take place from Monday to Friday over the two weeks of the holidays from April 10 at the Workhouse Museum. People can also find out more about the lives of many children in the new ‘Urchins, Sprogs and Guttersnipes’ displays which run across all three Ripon museums: The Workhouse Museum, Prison and Police Museum and Courthouse Museum.