MUSEUMS in east Cleveland had a record-breaking Easter weekend.

There was double the number of visitors at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, and Margrove Heritage Centre, at Margrove Park.

Officials from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said visitor numbers soared despite the poor weather and possible public concern over foot-and-mouth disease.

More than 2,000 people enjoyed a Napoleonic re-enactment at Kirkleatham Museum.

Mark Simmons, museums education officer at the council, said visitor numbers to Kirkleatham's Meccano and Tudor exhibitions had also attracted record numbers - 17,500 since late January.

He said: "As these exhibitions run until Sunday, there is still time to catch them."