Puppets to banish half-term blues

Youngsters beat the half-term blues by making their own snakes, parrots and monkeys at a Wolverhampton art centre ahead of its huge international puppet festival.

Children aged between two and seven worked on the creations at Newhampton Arts Centre in Whitmore Reans.

Dynamics International Puppet Festival kicks off at the city venue on Saturday at 10am. Entrance costs £1 for the whole day, which will include shows and activities by puppeteers from across the UK and Europe. The puppets will range from traditional marionettes to modern creations such as oversized chickens.

The children's workshops were led by artist Jim Morris, who encouraged the youngsters to let their imaginations run wild.

Centre manager Christine McGowan said: "The workshops went extremely well and all the children went home happy with their own puppet. There were around 15 youngsters taking part.

"It was ahead of the festival on Saturday, which is set to be a brilliant event and we'd like to see as many people there as possible."

Shows at the festival on Saturday will include Peter and the Wolf at 2pm and 3 Pigs at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

Drop by Newhampton Arts Centre in Dunkley Street or visit www.newhamptonarts.co.uk for more information.