Scrooge staff spread festive joy

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Staff at a £62m theme park celebrating the life of Charles Dickens have given up their Christmas Eve to help hundreds of children enjoy the seasonal spirit.

About 200 disadvantaged youngsters were given a special day at Dickens World in Chatham, Kent, which includes Ebenezer Scrooge's haunted house.

They were treated to a personal toy from Father Christmas and a pantomime.

Dickens World commercial manager, Ross Hutchins, said: "The kids have had a fabulous time today."

He added: "They particularly enjoyed the pantomime. It's been a great day and a great event for the children and we are particularly pleased to have been able to do it.

"It was very nice to see people in the business community be so supportive, we had many donations from retailers in the area."

The event was organised by Dickens World, Kent charity Fresh Visions and Medway Social Services.

The theme park opened in May on derelict dockland close to where the writer lived as a child.

The attraction's centrepiece is a boat ride through Dickensian England.