A CELEBRATION of the decade that gave the world rock and roll is being held this weekend.

Beamish Museum’s Festival of 50s gets underway today and runs until Sunday with live music, costumes to try on and period-inspired food and drink.

The open air visitor museum is building a 1950s town as part of the £18m Remaking Beamish project, which has been awarded £10.9m by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Community events officer Siân Fox said: “There’s lots to explore, from live entertainment to 50s food and fashion, the event promises to be a great day out for all the family.”

On all four days of the festival, visitors will be able to dance along to the band, Hop, Skiffle and Jump, and be entertained by Suzie B’s Boys.

They can also sample the delights of macaroni cheese, coronation chicken sandwiches, corned beef pie and Battenberg cake or visit Wanda, the 50s caravan, to try on clothing from the time.

Durham Amateur Football Trust will be looking at the popularity of the Amateur League in the 1950s while the North East Police History Society will be looking at crime and punishment during the decade with an authentic police office visitors can step inside to see uniforms and equipment.