SOLDIERS, hawks, and digeridoos are helping a town celebrate the Easter holidays.

Hartlepool Historic Quay and Museum, in the town's marina, and Hartlepool Art Gallery, in Church Square, are staging activities over the next fortnight.

The action began yesterday with a visit to the museum by members of the Heugh Battery Living History Group, who set up camp and performed army drills.

They will be on site each day during the school holidays.

Peter Heathcote, from the Exotic Animal Welfare Trust, will bring a red-tailed hawk, falcon, barn owl and Harris hawk to the Historic Quay today, tomorrow and on Monday. There will be falconry displays at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, each lasting 30 minutes.

There will be an Australia Day on Tuesday at Hartlepool Art Gallery. Youngsters can attend digeridoo workshops and experience Aboriginal music.

Music Day on Thursday at the gallery gives youngsters the chance to create Latin American maracas, and on Wednesday, April 21, visitors to the Museum of Hartlepool can make a cup-and-ball toy.

There will be sessions from 10am to noon for pre-booked groups only, followed by sessions open to everyone, from 1pm to 4pm. To book, call (01429) 869706.

Admission to the Museum of Hartlepool is free, while entry to the Historic Quay is £5.50 for adults and £3 for concessions. They are open every day from 10am to 5pm.

The Art Gallery is open from 10am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and 2pm to 5pm on Sundays. Admission is free.

Published: 10/04/2004