Snakes, scorpions and spiders are the main attractions of the latest collection opening today to scare visitors at the Yorkshire Museum.

You can even join in snake-handling sessions when the museum, in the Museum Gardens, opens its new display, entitled Fangs - the World of Venomous Creatures, next week.

Snake handling sessions will be held on Monday to Thursday, from 11am until noon, and 2pm to 3pm. The exhibition runs until June and is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.

Also at the museum, half-term visitors can experience the Stardome - a magical journey through the night sky of Yorkshire, with the curator of astronomy Martin Lunn.

The experience lasts for about half an hour and is available next Wednesday and Thursday.

Admission is £3.95 for adults, £2.50 for children and concessions and family tickets for two adults and three children costs £11.50. Residents with a YorkCard get in free.

* Next week is National Pet Week and we are looking for people with unusual pets or unusual pet tales to contact us.

If you have a pet kangaroo, a scorpion or anything a little out of the ordinary, or your pet cat likes taking bubble baths, then contact Emma Harrison in the newsroom on 01904 653051 ext: 314, or e-mail as above.

Updated: 11:50 Friday, February 16, 2001