Showbiz museum has its 50,000th visitor

Orville the Duck features among the exhibits in the new Blackpool museum

A museum celebrating Blackpool's history as the seaside home of showbiz has clocked its 50,000th visitor.

Showtown opened just six months ago, and is dedicated to the town's glory days of entertainment. A family celebrating their son's 13th birthday reached the visitor landmark, winning a golden ticket and various prizes.

Star attractions at the heritage museum include Strictly Come Dancing costumes, a vintage Sooty puppet and Stan Laurel's hat.

George Formby's ukulele, Tommy Cooper's fez and Peter Kay's purple suit are also among exhibits at the £13m venue in Blackpool town centre.

Liz Moss, the museum's chief executive, told BBC Radio Lancashire she was "delighted" to have had so many visitors since the opening in March.

"It is going really well," she said, adding that the focus of any visit was the overall "experience people have, and the nostalgia it creates".

The museum - located behind seafront, on the site of one of the former Palace nightclub - marks the town's place as the spiritual home of ballroom dancing, and Strictly Come Dancing's second home.

Exhibits include outfits worn on the BBC One show by former winner Stacey Dooley and professional dancers Joanne Clifton and Katya Jones.

Within the six galleries, there is also the door of a Blackpool police cell from which Harry Houdini escaped in 1905, and a Mr Punch puppet dating from 1850.

Ms Moss said: "You expected the unexpected when you come in.

"We have all different sorts of things."

Admission is free for Blackpool residents, but must be booked in advance. Ticket prices start from £11.50.

Strictly Come Dancing costumes are prominently featured in the museum, highlighing the TV show's annual visit to the resort town