VISITORS to Bolton's most famous historic home were surprised to find museum staff replaced by — school pupils.

Smithills Hall was taken over by the children from Holy Infants and St Anthony RC Primary School who became tour guides, behind the scenes staff and publicity managers.

Children from the Astley Bridge school did not disappoint as they brought alive the hall's fascinating past by introducing visitors to the characters who lived there.

Anne Burns, Bolton Museum’s collections officer, said: “The visitors really enjoyed it.

“We were expecting children to read from a script but none of them did, they had learnt their lines the night before – they were really enthusiastic The school is working towards an Arts Award and this will go towards that.

“The children had an opportunity to do something they would not normally do — and they learned a bit of local history.”

Twenty-eight children took part, with some taking on the characters of Lord and Lady Barton — one of the first owners of the hall during Tudor Times. They also took on the roles of Colonel and Mrs Ainsworth, who lived their during the Victorian era.

Some of the children dressed as Victorian servants and entertained their guests with Tudor dancing.

Others used social media to promote the event, tweeting and taking pictures.

The young tour guides learned the history of the hall the night before ready for the big day.

The day was organised as part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Day 2014, which is designed to give children and young people the chance to work with adults for the day and be involved in decision making.

Children are said to benefit from the opportunity to experience the world of work and make their voices heard, while adults and organisations gain a fresh perspective on what they do.

The children were helped by Friends of Smithills Hall.