Creating artefacts and dressing up in traditional costumes has brought the rich history of the Roman times alive for youngsters.

Children are delving into the area's past and learning about the Roman Empire at workshops held at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven.

They created mosaic tiles at craft sessions yesterday (Monday) and also had enjoyed a variety of interactive learning.

Numerous workshops are taking place this week where children can make their own clay Roman artefacts.

The sessions coincide with the Gladiators: A cemetery of secrets exhibition which is on show at the museum.

Alan Irwin, business development manager at The Beacon Museum, said: "Each day we will be doing handling sessions of Roman objects. We also have a Roman forum with a market stall, and a stage so children can give their own speeches. There's also interactive videos and roaring animals.

"We just really wanted to bring to life the Roman theme. The Gladiator exhibition is very much about death and how the Romans killed people.

"We wanted to give the kids an insight into Roman lifestyle. They were very advanced in how they lived their lives. A lot of what we do today is because of what the Romans did."

Artefacts from the local area will also be on show.

"There is a rich Roman history from the west of Cumbria," Mr Irwin added.

Gladiators: A cemetery of secrets features six sets of human remains alongside other Roman artefacts and runs until December 3.

The remains of the men date from the early second century to the late third century AD and were unearthed in York. The exhibition explores the skeletal remains of the men, all of whom were decapitated and uncovers the story of where they came from, how they died and why.

Also taking place at The Beacon this week is a talk by Alan Cleaver on Thursday, from 7pm. He will be speaking about the ghosts and ghouls of Whitehaven.