THE Harris Museum goes barking mad with a weird and wonderful new exhibition called Animals in Art. The new display features a feast of famous people and paintings, sculptures and sketches highlighting our obsession with animals.

Pet portraits include Beryl Cook's cats, the Queen with her favourite corgi Spark and Damien Hirst posing as a mad cow!

The well-known picture His Master's Voice by Francis Barraud will also be on display. It features a dog in front of a gramophone and has been widely used to advertise record store HMV.

Younger visitors will love the illustrations of Beatrix Potter characters Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck.

Admission is £3 or £1.50 with concessions, or free for school groups. Proceeds from the exhibition go to the Blue Cross animal welfare charity which is celebrating its centenary.

This exhibition of more than 150 works of art runs until December 6. Accompanying events include a lecture by curator Lindsay Stainton on the history of animal painting on October 29, and a story-time for children aged over eight on November 15. Contact the museum to book places on 01772 258248.

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