THERE will be plenty to keep the family occupied this Easter at Worcestershire County Museum.

The All Creatures Great and Small event the historic Hartlebury Castle, Hartlebury, is taking place on Monday, April 21from11am to 5pm and will include an array of animals on site for visitors to see.

People can get up close and personal with a variety of creatures including skunks and armadillos and even baby meerkats as well as observe and handle a variety of creepy crawlies such as snakes, cockroaches, scorpions and spiders.

There will also be the chance to meet heavy horses, join in ferret racing with the Heart of England Ferret Association and see a display of falconry as well as meet and handle birds of prey in the Castle's Carriage Circle.

Children will have the chance to handle the bones of Frank, Worcestershire's own 250,000-year-old woolly mammoth, join in with the animal-themed craft activities or enjoy storytelling and the Easter trail.

There will also be a selection of stalls in the Great Hall along with traditional crafts including the Wrekin Spinners and the chance to have a go at churning butter in the old scullery.

Rachel Robinson, Worcestershire County Council’s Visitor Experience Manager, said: “It's not often you get a chance to see such a huge variety of creatures in one place but at our event visitors will meet everything from creepy snakes and spiders to cute lambs, meerkats and beautiful heavy horses.

"Plus some of the animals you will be able to touch and hold so it's a real opportunity for a unique and memorable day out."

During the Easter holidays, animal themed craft activities and Easter trail will continue with a chance to makebird masks, rabbit headbands and butterfly mobiles.

And The Castle Kitchen Café will be serving up special animal themed dishes alongside their usual range of treats.

Normal admission charges apply every day with an additional £1 per child on activity days.

For details, call the museum on 01299 250416.