CUSTOMERS at a shopping centre were able try their hand at making bottle-top dogs, decorating plates and creating proggy mats when museum staff called in.

The Gates Shopping Centre, in Durham, hosted the activities by Beamish Museum, including a display of objects from the past.

The craft activities were based on folk art collections the museum is exhibiting.

Gates centre manager Inge Johnson said: "Having the Beamish Museum at The Gates is a fantastic opportunity to bring a bit of history to the centre.

"It also gives our customers a taste of what they could expect to see at the museum."