SAMURAI swords, blowpipes from Borneo and Indian daggers are some of the bloodthirsty exhibits on display at Durham's Oriental Museum.

The Dull Edged Sword; the Changing Role of the Warrior in the Orient is an exhibition put together by nine postgraduate students studying for an MA in Museum and Artefact studies at Durham University.

It shows weapons never displayed before which Indian, Japanese and Turkish warriors carried as battle arms and as signs of personal status.

Many of the exhibits belonged to Wilfred Dodds, from Redhill, Durham, who owned two adjacent houses, one of which he lived in and the other he used as a store for his weapons collection.

The exhibition also contains an interactive computer programme where visitors can defeat the Japanese army and there is a teachers' pack for school visits.

The Oriental Museum, on Elvet Hill, Durham, opens from 10am to 5pm weekdays and midday to 5pm weekends. Admission is £1.50 adults, 75p children and £3.50 for a family ticket.