THE AWESOME world of invertebrates is being placed under the spotlight at a new colourful and immersive exhibition.

Spineless has been unveiled at the Great North Museum: Hancock, in Newcastle, with children from the Great North Children’s Hospital being treated to a private view on Friday (July 31) ahead of the official opening on Saturday (August 1).

Matron Helga Charters from the Great North Children’s Hospital said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for children and their families to share the amazing exhibition ahead of it official opening and I am sure they will enjoy the experience very much.”

Spineless is the first major natural history exhibition at the museum since it reopened in 2009. Created and curated by the museum’s own team, Spineless showcases hundreds of specimens from the museum’s extensive natural history collections that are not currently on display, alongside several live specimens including the world’s heaviest stick insect and largest spider.

The exhibition also includes several important specimen loans from the Natural History Museum in London including the world’s only venomous crustacean.

Dr Sarah Glynn, manager of the Great North Museum: Hancock said: “To be able to create this original exhibition using our own collections has given us the chance to show off some of the more fascinating creatures in the museum stores that are not usually on display.

"We are also excited to be sharing new research from colleagues at Newcastle University, the Natural History Museum and National Museums Scotland.

“As well as the exhibition itself we’ve got plenty of Spineless themed events planned throughout the summer from live specimen demonstrations and beekeeping to mini-beast hunts and rockpooling with experts.”

Free entry: Open: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.