Festive celebrations given the Georgian treatment

And visitors to Fairfax House in York will be able to get a taste of 18th century festive celebrations in an exhibition which starts tomorrow.

The Keeping of Christmas exhibition will run until New Year's Eve to showcase decorations based on evidence from the Georgian period.

A series of events is being staged throughout, including story-telling as well as demonstrations to create festive floral wreaths and table decorations.

Fairfax House's director, Hannah Phillip, said: "The storytelling sessions and flower decoration workshops are new to our programme and we hope visitors will enjoy taking part.

"It really is a magical time of year to be visiting Fairfax House."

The property was created in 1762 as a dowry for Anne Fairfax, the only surviving child of Viscount Fairfax. The family turned to York's most distinguished architect of the time, John Carr, to design the interior.

Since then it has been used as a gentlemen's club, a cinema and a dance hall, before the York Civic Trust began major renovations in 1984.

More details about the Christmas events are available at www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk or by calling 01904 655543.