A CELEBRATED British children’s book illustrator and author will be opening an exhibition of his work in Worcester on Saturday.

Award-winning Nick Sharratt, who created the well-known drawings for Jacqueline Wilson’s Tracy Beaker series, will be launching his exhibition Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants – The Illustrated World of Nick Sharratt at the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, in Foregate Street, Worcester, at 10.30am.

And visitors will be able to meet 54-year-old Nick and buy a book to be signed by this popular illustrator as part of the opening day of the exhibition between 10.30am and 4.30pm on July 9.

He hopes his fun and hands-on exhibition will inspire local youngsters to draw during the school summer holidays. The exhibition is in Worcester until Saturday September 3.

Nick's well-known, colourful characters are the inspiration behind the interactive activities that make up the exhibition.

Visitors can see if they can win a race against the Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog, tell their own story with Pirate Pete, create an outfit for Tracy Beaker, dress themselves up as a Wellyphant or even create their very own digital 'Sharracter'.

The exhibition includes a wipe-clean wall so that, when inspiration strikes, everyone will be able to doodle their own Nick Sharratt-inspired picture.

Art Gallery and Museum marketing manager Helen Large, said: "We are thrilled that Nick Sharratt's fantastic exhibition is in Worcester this summer. It's bright, colourful, fun and free to visit, and there are lots of fabulous creative activities to join in with, so drop by the Art Gallery this summer and give the children a day to remember."

There will be a series of summer workshops to accompany the exhibition, from family drop-in days to a full day book-making workshop. Please visit our website for more information.

Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants is free and open Monday – Saturday 10.30am – 4.30pm for the whole of the summer holidays (closed Sundays and Bank Holidays). For more information contact the Art Gallery and Museum on 01905 25371, visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk or follow @worcestermuseum on Twitter.

• Both adults and children can enjoy a taste of mediaeval England and some target practice at Brockhampton Estate near Bromyard on Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Really Rural country sports specialists will be offering the chance to try out archery with the help of experts. The archery sessions cost £2 in addition to the admission charge.

• On the following day, visitors to Brockhampton can enjoy a falconry display near the manor house at Lower Brockhampton. A range of different birds of prey will be flying in the overflow car park area. The event is free but normal admission charges apply.

• On Sunday July 10 visitors to Eastnor Castle near Ledbury can listen into story-telling with award-winning children’s author and illustrator Hannah Shaw from Gloucestershire. The grounds open at 11am.