FANS of the BBC hit TV show, Robot Wars, can get close to some of the programme's mechanical stars this week.
The metal monsters, armed with pincers, claws, flame-throwers and saws, will be in the Gateshead MetroCentre's town square throughout half-term week, until Sunday.
Making their debut appearance in the North-East are the House robots, including the red-eyed Sir Killalot, flame-breathing Sergeant Bash and their cohorts, Dead Metal, Shunt and Matilda.
Popular contestants Firestorm, from Durham, and past winner Panic Attack are also on display, along with the Refbot, charged with keeping the rest in line.
Youngsters can have their pictures taken with their favourite mechanised gladiator and can also cause virtual carnage as they try out the latest Robot Wars video game on the Microsoft X-box.
The MetroCentre's in-house entertainers, the MetroGnomes, will also be performing a free, robot-related show every hour.
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