AN exhibition of technical wizardry at Turton Tower, near Edgworth, features automated toys which visitors will be able to operate themselves.

Many of the objects on show are by Britain's leading automata makers, who have skilfully created moving forms which mimic human behaviour.

There is a revival of interest in the craft form and the keeper of Turton Tower, Martin Dowland has scoured the country to put together Lancashire's only exhibition of automata.

He has collected from Newcastle, Hull, London, Suffolk and Devon, acquiring work by top contemporary artists such as Tim Hunkin, Tony Mann, Frank and Bridget Egerton and Paul Spooner.

Andy Hazel and Jim Bond have made objects especially for the show.

"Automata are enjoying a new popularity and visitors will find these objects fascinating and entertaining and be able to marvel at the technical wizardry," said Martin.

"It is getting away from treating art galleries and museums as solemn, almost religious places. The exhibition is fun - rather like opening a stocking on Christmas morning."

One of the best known pieces is Tim Hunkin's Rodent Retail Trainer - training rats to become consumers - which he created especially for Sheffield's Meadowhall Shopping Centre.

Tim, a former Observer cartoonist, also made The Zoo, which has humans behind bars.

Visitors to the exhibition can operate some of the more robust objects themselves and others will be demonstrated by museum staff.

The exhibition - Automata as Art - opens tomorrow and will run until October 2. Turton Tower, which is a Lancashire County Museum, is open every day from 1pm to 5pm and from I0am to noon, Mondays to Fridays.

For more information, contact Martin Dowland at Turton Tower 01204 852203.

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