ARTS Minister Estelle Morris yesterday launched an indoor water-play gallery designed for children, during a visit to the North-East.

Play Tyne, an interactive gallery featuring the River Tyne with working models of its landmark bridges, is one of four galleries to be opened next month after a £13m redevelopment of the Discovery Museum.

Ms Morris was one of the first people to try out the interactive model with the help of a group of children, who will be among several to test the gallery before it opens to the public.

The aim of Play Tyne is to encourage young children to explore the way the river works and how water can be used.

Play Tyne and the other galleries -Story of the Tyne, Tyneside Challenge and Working Lives -will celebrate the history of the 15 miles of river from Newburn to Tynemouth, revealing the industrial, trading, maritime and cultural achievements along it banks.

During her visit, Ms Morris also visited Newcastle University's Hatton Gallery, Newcastle's Live Theatre and the Sage centre, to see how work is going on the £70m music and education project.

Ms Morris said: "I am glad to see the region is forging ahead with its cultural projects, which will bring benefits to the region in terms of facilities, investment and new jobs."