CHILDREN from across the North-East are set for a true maritime adventure during the school holidays.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) Hartlepool, which is home to HMS Trincomalee – the oldest warship still afloat in Europe – is hosting a range of family-friendly events this month.

As part of the summer programme, families are invited to join animal handling sessions each Friday throughout the summer holidays.

Guests will be able to pet the kinds of animals that would have been found on board His Majesty’s Ships in the 1800s.

Two drop-in sessions are also planned for August 21 and August 23, putting children's creativity to the test.

The Aboriginal Art workshops will see youngsters making their own inspired designed or even their own boomerang.

The art sessions will run between 11am and 12.30pm and 1pm and 4pm on both days.

Animal handling sessions are every Friday between 10am and 4pm.

Roslyn Adamson, general manager of the NMRN, said: “We are delighted to be delivering animal handling sessions this year.

" There are many stories to be told of animals on-board ships and it’s a really nice way of bringing those to life for our younger visitors.

"Combined with our programme of drop-in activities there will be lots for families to do at the museum."