THE Big Bad Wolf is appearing twice daily at a medieval manor house.

The wolf is confined to Crook Hall's Jacobean Room for all but two daily appearances as part of the Whit week attractions at the Durham hall.

Other characters, including Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, are also to be found at the hall and in its fou r acres of theme gardens.

Hall owner Maggie Bell said the fairytale theme has proved increasingly popular.

"It's our third or fourth year with the fairytale week and the children seem to enjoy it more and more.

"They arrive and have a treasure hunt and then look for Little Red Riding Hood in the grounds to help her safely on her way to her grandmother's house.

"We have Snow White's enchanted room, with a magic mirror, while twice only each day we allow the Big Bad Wolf out in the Jacobean Room, but we don't allow him to roam free, as some of the little ones tend to be terrified by him."

Other features this week include story-telling on the croquet lawn (inside during wet weather), a wishing tree, and a yellow brick road.

The events run daily until Sunday, from 11am to 5pm.

Admission charges are £5.50 for adults, £5 for concessions and £4.50 for children. Family tickets cost £16 for two adults and two children. Under-threes are free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

More details at crookhal lgardens.co.uk/events.

htm, or call 0191-384-8028.