VISITORS to a Wimborne museum will soon be able to sample a taste of an authentic Victorian Christmas - and make a wish into the bargain.

The town’s Priest’s House Museum is gearing up for its annual festive pudding event.

The Great Pudding Stir, taking place next weekend, has become a firm favourite on the East Dorset calendar.

During the day around 250 youngsters are expected to stir a bowl of Mrs Beeton’s Christmas Pudding mix, make a wish, then eat the end result.

Mike Carter, who has been running the event with wife Eileen and assistant Pam Willis for the past 12 years, will be dressed in Victorian costume.

In fact, the trio would not look out of place among the cast of a Dickensian play.

Mike told the Daily Echo: “We have a Victorian kitchen with a Victorian range, which we use to heat the pudding.

“This is the proper old-style pudding in a cloth. It is not like the kind of Christmas pud you get today.

“They are best served straight away, with cream or custard.”

While the Great Pudding Stir takes place, the museum – decked out in Christmas decorations – will resonate to the sound of carols, performed by a live choir.

Mike said: “People can have a stir, make a wish then look around and soak up the atmosphere. It should be a really fun day.

“We all enjoy ourselves at the Great Pudding Stir and a lot of locals say this event marks the start of their Christmas.”

The event runs between 10.30am-4pm, December 10, at the Priest’s House Museum.

Entry is £1.50 for adults. £1 for children.