A living history experience is due to open in Sittingbourne in the new year.

Debbie White, who runs Character Costumes in East Street, has turned the back of the shop into a replica of a 1940s house.

It includes a period-style living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom filled with original furniture and artefacts from 70 years ago.

There’s also an ARP office to reflect the Second World War era in which the house is set. It is due to open to the public in January.

Debbie said: “We hope people will think they’re not only stepping into someone’s home, but stepping back in time when they visit us.”

Debbie, who has co-owned Character Costumes for 12 years, said as a member of re-enactment group,

Sittingbourne Homefront Living History Society, original props were easy to come by. She said a need for somewhere to store the items sparked the idea for a museum-style enterprise.

It opened for school visits last month and has already proved popular. To enhance the living aspect of the experience, Debbie said professional re-enactors will be on hand.

Her plans include converting part of the premises back to its original use as a working forge.

She said: “We’ve been working on the living museum for 18 months. We’ve scrimped and saved and had donations and funds to get it up and running.

“It’s been stressful at times because we wanted the house to look right. But it’s been an absolute labour of love.”