IMPRESSIVE rifles and replicas of a guards' hut and hospital tent will attract crowds to a touring exhibition.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Imperial War Museum in London is touring the country.

The exhibition, at the Hartlepool Art Gallery, Church Square, is part of the Museum's Their Past, Your Future programme of year-long events.

Developed from personal wartime experiences, the exhibition includes diaries, letters, audio displays and poems, some of which are previously unpublished.

There is also unseen footage and photographs from the Imperial War Museum archive, Luftwaffe bomb maps of the local area and visitors can climb into an Anderson Shelter.

Also on display will be several exhibits depicting The Hartlepools' War. These include a collection of guns and rifles which belong to the town's Heugh Gun Battery Trust.

There are also replicas of a guards' hut and hospital tent, while many local people have penned their wartime memories which hang around the gallery.

An aim of Their Past Your Future is to attract more people into museums - particularly those who would not normally visit.

Samantha Heywood, head of corporate education programmes at the Imperial War Museum, said: "The range and geographical spread of venues across the UK will help us to realise that aim - and we hope that the exhibition in Hartlepool will prompt visitors from the area to learn about their community during the war."

Other activities include an educational programme for local schools, families and veterans, and on Saturday North-East group Hautbois will be performing their repertoire of wartime music and songs throughout the day.

Admission is free and the exhibition runs until Sunday, February 26.

For a programme of events for both the public and schools, call (01429) 869706.

Published: 12/01/2006