TWO exhibitions with the sea as their central theme are being staged in Hartlepool from today.

Monsters of the Deep, which combines two national touring exhibitions - Sharks and Prehistoric Sea Monsters - for the first time, is to be staged at the Museum of Hartlepool in the marina.

The town's art gallery, in Church Square, is to host an exhibition of work by marine artist James Dodds, called Shipshape.

The exhibitions are coming to the town as part of SeaBritain 2005, a national celebration of the country's maritime heritage.

Colin Reid, acting cultural heritage and grants officer for Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "We are expecting Monsters of the Deep to be a monster hit this summer, particularly with children."