TELEVISION personality Johnny Ball was in Hartlepool at the weekend to welcome a mobile museum to the town.
The entertainer, famous for his fun portrayal of science and mathematics, opened The Curiosity Shop in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre on Saturday.
The new attraction, which is full of weird and wonderful items, is touring the Tees Valley area, setting up in a succession of empty shops.
The town's recently-discovered "monkey" bone - which turned out to be part of the skeleton of a prehistoric deer - will be on display alongside a furry fish, a 10ft-long squid and a selection of life-sized Dr Who models.
Mark Simmons, audience development manager for Hartlepool Arts, Museums and Events Service, said: "One of the first sights that usually confronts visitors to The Curiosity Shop is a specially-produced movie presentation by Johnny Ball, so we were delighted to welcome him in person to the shop's official opening in Hartlepool.
"The number of visitors to The Curiosity Shop initiative has already exceeded our wildest dreams, and we expect it to be just as popular during its stay in Hartlepool."
The attraction has already visited Redcar and Stockton and proved hugely popular, attracting more than 50,000 visitors.
The exhibition will be in Hartlepool until August 29.
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