Imperial War Museum 1940s house decorated for Christmas

Visitors to the Imperial War Museum have until 2 January 2012 to visit the 1940s house before it closes.

The house, at the heart of the museum's The Children's War exhibition, has been decorated for a traditional British family Christmas letting people step back in time to 1945.

During World War II 130,000 children suffered the loss of a parent on active service; one million were evacuated from their homes - with a further 16,000 sent overseas - and 7,736 children died as a direct result of enemy action.

So Christmas 1945 was for many, the first time in five years that the whole family could get together to celebrate Christmas.

A tree in the sitting room has been adorned with original 1940s decorations, around it the presents are wrapped, stockings hung by the fireplace and snatches of Christmas music from the wireless fill the air.

The organisers have also added a nice touch with mince pies baking in the kitchen and something has even been left out for Santa Claus and Rudolph.

Admission is free and although The Children's War exhibition closes on 2 January 2012, the museum has many other exhibitions planned for next year; including getting ready for the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War in 1914.