THE golden anniversary of one of Stockton's leading tourist attractions is being celebrated in an exhibition.

Preston Hall Museum and Park, which attracts about 300 people a day in the summer, opened to the public in 1953.

Now an exhibition of photographs and artefacts has been unveiled at the hall in Yarm Road, between Stockton and Eaglescliffe.

The museum has a period street, displaying shops and costumes of yesteryear. It also has a miniature railway and displays of art and armoury.

The museum site was part of the estate of the Eden family of Windlestone for 100 years.

Stockton Corporation took it over in 1947 and opened the museum six years later.

"The place is very popular in the summer and in the winter we have a lot of things going on, such as school trips," said museum employee Julie Black.

"We thought the exhibition would be a nice way to celebrate our golden anniversary."

A feasibility study to examine ways the museum can be improved is being undertaken by Stockton Borough Council after complaints that part of the museum is almost derelict. The authority is also considering applying for funding from English Heritage to improve the museum.