THOUSANDS of youngsters enjoyed Santa's visit to a multi-million railway museum so much that plans for next year's festivities are already under way.

All 3,500 tickets for Locomotion: National Railway Museum's Santa Special were snapped up within days of going on sale.

The event was so popular that bosses at the County Durham museum are now planning to slot in an extra weekend for next year.

Children who visited Santa in his grotto over the Christmas period at Shildon also enjoyed riding on a steam engine, craft activities, a live brass band, face painting and jugglers as well as other attractions on offer at the museum.

The facility, a partnership venture between Sedgefield Borough Council and the National Railway Museum, has far exceeded expectations.

It was predicted that about 60,000 people a year would visit the museum but already 75,000 people have been to the attraction since it opened on September 25.

The museum is currently closed as staff move into office premises and undertake essential telecommunication works. It is expected to re-open on January 5.