AN AFTER-DARK invitation to explore a North-East city’s museums will include the opportunity to the tombs St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede.

Three Durham City attractions will be opening their doors after-hours on Friday, May 13 as part of the national Museums at Night event, an annual celebration of the arts, history and heritage.

The DLI Museum and Art Gallery will be hosting an array of special events and activities between 6pm and 10pm, including live performances by Morris Ford and Matt Stalker and the Fables.

Artist Nick Kennedy will be asking visitors to get involved in creating a masterpiece and there will be an exclusive showing of Future Shorts, a series of international short films including Oscar-winning animation The Lost Thing and Derby.

The free event will also include admission to the Jerwood Drawing Prize 2010 exhibition.

The Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology will be open from 6pm to 8pm, offering free craft sessions, juice and biscuits and a storytelling session - all with a spooky theme.

There will be a chance to experience Durham Cathedral in a different light when the UNESCO World Heritage site opens its doors between 6.15pm and 10pm.

Visitors will be able to see the last resting place of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede, enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Cathedral tower and visit the monks’ dormitory to hear the ghostly stories of medieval scholar M R James, read by Fred Traice of the Castle Players.

Artist Judy Hurst will be on hand to talk about her work, which is on display in the Galilee Chapel and the Undercroft restaurant will offer a special evening menu.

Admission to the cathedral is free. There is a charge for entrance to the tower, with tickets available on arrival.

For more information visit www.museumsatnight.org.uk