EASTER ART: Children can create Easter-inspired artwork to take home at Middlesbrough’s flagship art gallery.

A special Easter art trolley will run at mima over the school holidays from Tuesday, April 2 to Friday, April 5 and Tuesday, April 9 to Friday, April 12 from 11am to noon. The free drop-in sessions run alongside the regular Saturday Art Trolley sessions over Easter, which are from 1-4pm. Also at mima are Easter fun Fridays, with creative workshops for eight to 12 year-olds. Advance booking is essential and the sessions cost £5.

For bookings or more information call mima reception on 01642-726720 during gallery opening hours or email mimabookings@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

OZ ADVENTURE: Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience will be transformed into the mysterious land of Oz for one night only next week.

The Adventure to Oz event takes place from 5.30pm to 8pm on Friday April 12 at the tourist attraction.

It co-incides with the new Disney film Oz the Great and Powerful which is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, and in cinemas now.

Oz characters including the Tin Man, Scarecrow and the witches will be at the event and there will be craft activities, balloon modelling, circus skills and storytelling.

Tickets cost £4.25 each or £15.50 for a family ticket - under twos are free – and are available in advance from Hartlepool Art Gallery and Tourist Information Centre in Church Square or by calling 01429 890000.

MIDDLESBROUGH BINS: Refuse and recycling collections will take place as normal on Good Friday, March 29, in Middlesbrough.

The council is asking residents who are due a collection on these dates to present their refuse and recycling as normal.

Anyone unsure of their collection day is advised to check their collection calendar – available from the Environment Contact Centre on 01642 726001 or by visiting the Middlesbrough Council website at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk COMPOST OFFER: Residents in Hartlepool are being urged to take advantage of discounts on compost bins before prices rise.

A composting scheme run by the council means the bins are discounted to £16 plus a £5.49 delivery charge, but prices will rise on Easter Monday.

The Borough Council’s home composting appeal comes ahead of Easter, traditionally a time when householders start venturing out into their gardens following the winter.

Compost bins and accessories can be ordered on-line at www.teesvalley.getcomposting.com or by telephoning 0844 571 4444.