Attraction marks Dickens' birth

The theme park is close to where Dickens lived as a child

Dickens World staff are celebrating the birthday of the Kent attraction's famous namesake.

Charles Dickens, who lived in Chatham as a child, was born 196 years ago on Thursday in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

The venue is marking the day with a Victorian rendition of Happy Birthday, a giant cake and performances of A Christmas Carol.

Dickens World opened in May 2007 on derelict dockland close to where the writer lived as a child.

The attraction's commercial manager, Ross Hutchins, said: "It's important that we continue to mark the birthday of this great author and give recognition to his inspirational works.

"Through Dickens World we hope to educate the 21st century in the ways of the 19th century of which Charles Dickens was, unquestionably, not only one of the most famous authors but most descriptive."

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