YOUNGSTERS are being invited to explore the deep dark wood where there are animals to spot and fun games to find.

There will be a story telling session where The Gruffalo, a children's book by writer and playwright Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Schefflerby, is read out by a professional storyteller.

Meet a wheeler-dealer fox, an eccentric old owl and a maraca-shaking, party mad snake.

Mouse can scare these hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined.

The Gruffalo will make an appearance and youngsters brave enough may even get a hi-five from the monster-like hybrid that's half grizzly bear and half buffalo.

Themed craft activities and refreshments will also be present.

Tickets for the storytelling session, at Redditch's Palace Theatre, cost £3 per child or adult (babies under one-year-old are free).

For more information or to book, visit redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk or call 07906205550.