In pictures: A Dickensian spectacle

Dickens World in Chatham, Kent, claims to be one of the biggest covered attractions in the world.

Visitors to the theme park will be taken on a boat trip through Dickensian London, with its sights, smells and rats.

Dickens World owners hope the �62m site will draw up to 300,000 visitors a year.

Newgate Prison, Ebenezer Scrooge's haunted house and a Victorian classroom have all been recreated.

Staff dressed as card sharks, rat catchers, street urchins and ladies of the night all add to the Victorian atmosphere.

The attraction has been built on derelict dockland close to where Charles Dickens lived as a child.

It was supposed to open in April but a problem with interactive show materials caused a six-week delay.

Historical societies were invited to take a look round the site before it opened its doors to the public.