BOOKS, bats, magic and snakes are some of the delights on show at a Hancock's Half Term this week.

Newcastle's Hancock Museum has been holding a week of fun and games for youngsters to keep them occupied during the half term holidays.

It offers youngsters the chance to create their own story books and come face-to-face with live bats and snakes.

The exhibition opened on Monday with a lot of clowning around and magic tricks courtesy of children's magician Mr Windbags.

The events, designed to run alongside their current Bats - Masters of the Night exhibition, include Batty Books held yesterday and today, with children creating their own story books telling the adventures of Basil Bat.

Tomorrow will see fruit bats hanging around the exhibition, while Saturday is the turn of the snake to take centre stage. Live royal pythons will be slithering round the museum for those brave enough to handle.

Bats - Masters of the Night is an exploration of the world of bats, shattering the myths and revealing life from the perspective of the world's only flying mammal.