HUGE animal characters were the centrepiece of a production from Britain's leading touring puppet masters at Spennymoor Leisure Centre yesterday.

The Presto Puppet Theatre created a make-believe land where humans were clowns and animals told stories in a production inspired by the fables of the Greek slave Aesop.

The scene was set in a woodland glade, where the animals of the forest gather together to amuse each other. Rather than use long complicated tales, the animals create a modern day review with the emphasis on humour rather than on deep-seated morals.

All the old favourites from the fables were there, portrayed by puppet characters almost 1.5 metres tall.

More than 240 children attended the two performances at Spennymoor Leisure Centre.