Corrie namecheck 'delights' pencil museum

The manager of Cumberland's Pencil Museum has expressed her delight over Coronation Street's namecheck of the establishment.

Monday night's episode of the Weatherfield soap saw Claire Peacock (Julie Haworth) attempting to sell raffle tickets for a draw with one of the top prizes being a pair of tickets to the museum - an attraction which houses the world's longest pencil.

Ryan Connor (Ben Thompson) immediately mocked the prize, prompting Claire to defend its appeal by proclaiming: "It's more interesting than it sounds!"

Museum curator Alex Spencer said: "We think it's fantastic that we were mentioned on Coronation Street - it's a great programme! We're going to send them some personalised pencils."

She added: "People come in to get out of the rain and think they are going to be here for just 20 minutes. But they end up staying for two hours instead. There's lots to see."

The museum, which was established 28 years ago, explores the history of pencil making. Attached to the museum is the Derwent factory, which began manufacturing pencils in 1832.