A Tudor townhouse has seen a record 9,000 tourists and townsfolk through its doors a year after it reopened following a multi-million pound top-to-toe refit.

A Tudor townhouse has seen a record 9,000 tourists and townsfolk through its doors a year after it reopened following a multi-million pound top-to-toe refit.

Officials at Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life spoke of their delight yesterday after visitor numbers were up 20pc on its pre-development figures.

The 500-year-old building in White Hart Street reopened last September following a

two-year extension and refurbishment project which cost £1.6m.

Curator Oliver Bone said hundreds more people had been involved in Ancient House events and shows as a result of its ongoing outreach and audience development work.

The building's first changing display on Thetford's pulpware industry ends next Saturday and will be replaced on October 22 by an exhibition of

local residents' collections, including postcards, mugs, insects and one person's Elvis Presley memorabilia.

Autumn craft workshops taking place this month:

> Saturday, October 13 and Saturday, 20 October, 10am- noon, Put Your Soul into a Bowl - pulpware making workshop.

Tuesday, October 23, 11am- noon, Rag Bags - decorate a jute bag using recycled fabrics.

Thursday, October 25, 11am-noon, Animation! Animation! Animation! - revive old animation techniques.

Friday October 26, 10.30am- 3.30pm, What happened next? -family drawing event; 11am- 2pm, Home Sweet Home - House Alive event, including quill and ink writing.

For more information call 01842 752599.