DURHAM University's Oriental Museum has won funding to fit out a classroom for visiting schoolchildren.

Parties of youngsters and adults will be able to get to grips with pieces from the museum's collection in the new room.

It is being set up after the museum won a £4,915 award from the Clore Foundation, which will enable it to buy furniture, teaching equipment, an induction loop and collections of textiles, artefacts and photographs that can be handled by visitors.

The museum's education officer, Edith Nicholson, said: "Until now, the museum's many school visitors have had to sit on the gallery floor to handle Egyptian artefacts and oriental costumes and crafts.

"I'm delighted that our new facilities will enable the museum to offer a wider range of activities to support National Curriculum topics and art college projects."