Henry VIII gave an audience to children at a museum kids club on Tuesday, April 15.

The Tudor king spoke with members of the Bourne Hall Museum Kids Club while on a royal progress through Ewell.

Museum assistant David Brooks said: "It was very rare that common people got to meet the king.

"This was an older Henry as he was in 1544, a bit grumpy and with a limp. But his humour was good and no one was sent to the tower even when no one stood when he entered the room!"

Mr Brooks said the king spoke of his life and times, the great men of his reign, his wives and laws he made banning football. He said: "Henry was amazed to learn that girls are sent to school to learn.

"One young man in the club bravely asked how many people he had executed during his reign, 72,000 came the reply."