A WEEK of wildlife-themed activities takes place at a North-East museum this month.

The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, is inviting families to visit during the half-term holidays, starting on Monday, February 17.

Visitors can paint wooden bird feeders on Monday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 19, from 10.30am to noon and 1pm to 2.30pm.

Places must be pre-booked and cost £4.50 per child, who must be accompanied by an adult.

On Tuesday, February 18, to mark The Year of the Horse, visitors will be able to make horse masks, bookmarks and puppets, and learn about Chinese New Year.

There will also be Chinese-themed crafts, including making lanterns, fortune cookies, hats and mobile spiral dragons.

Jays Animal Encounters are attending the museum with a selection of exotic creatures on Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21, including tarantulas, snakes and scorpions.

Youngsters will learn facts about the creatures and create a piece of artwork.

Sessions take place at 10.00am, 11.00am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm and last 90 minutes.

Places must be pre-booked and cost £5 per child, who must be accompanied by an adult.

To book any of the half-term events, call 01833-690606.