BOROUGH youngsters are being asked to take part in a fancy dress competition with a difference at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery.

The museum is officially opening its World War One exhibition on Monday August 4 to coincide with the start of the conflict 100 years ago.

The exhibition features a mock High Street with shop fronts depicting life prior to the war before visitors are confronted with the harsh realities of war when they are faced with a painted battlefield, soldier's dug out, nurses station, mine and trench complete with sandbags, wooden boarded floors and bomb flashes.

Children are being encouraged to come along in costume with the chance of winning a gift voucher to spend in the museum shop.

They can dress up as 1914 schoolchildren or as soldiers, nurses, ambulance drivers, miners, munitions or farm workers.

There's also some items of clothing that children can dress up in on the day and the chance to take part in a broomstick rifle drill.

Other activities taking place at the museum this summer include a couple of themed activity days comprising of bugs and slugs on Thursday July 31 and a cowboys and cowgirls craft day on Thursday August 21.

There's also a fossil family fun day on Saturday August 30.

The museum is situated on St James' Road and open every Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm with admission free.