Public view crime writer's home

Visitors can see the crime writer's bedroom, library and dining room

Hundreds of people have visited the home of world-famous novelist Agatha Christie for the first time.

Greenway House, near Dartmouth, Devon, was used by Christie as a holiday home from 1938 until 1959.

The crime writer's family gave the house to the National Trust in 2000 and a £5m restoration has been carried out over the past two years.

A trust spokeswoman said nearly 200 visitors went through Greenway's doors in the first 90 minutes.

Robyn Brown, National Trust property manager said: "It's a truly thrilling moment to be able to finally fling open the doors and welcome our visitors and see them enjoying the house and garden just as it should be."

All car parking spaces had been fully booked for Saturday and Sunday.

Greenway has been restored to its 1950s heyday and among the rooms now open to the public is the drawing room, Christie's bedroom, dining room and the library.

The author's grandson, Mathew Prichard, said he wanted visitors to experience the "magic" he and his family felt when they were at the house.

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay in 1890 and died in 1976.