Book from 1801 outlines Christmas family games such as Hot Cockles

It is a far cry from the tradition of families gathering to play a board game such as Monopoly together on Christmas Day.

A book dating back to 1801 shows that a game popular with families at Christmas 200 years ago involved placing your head in someone's lap while guessing who was hitting you from behind.

The game, called Hot Cockles, was a variation of the classic Blind Man's Buff, also a well-loved pastime with our Victorian ancestors.

The book"Sports and Pastimes", written by the author and artist Joseph Strutt, lifts the lid on the famous games of the day that families and friends would play at parties.

A copy of the book was recently found in a house in Staffordshire and is due to be auctioned next month.