Canterbury: The Beaney holds a free family fun day to mark five years since it reopened after a major revamp

Childhood favourites The Clangers and Bagpuss will be among the special guests when Canterbury museum The Beaney celebrates it's fifth birthday.

A day of free family activities is taking place this Saturday, September 16 at the building in the High Street from 11am until 4pm.

The packed programme will include craft workshops, tours, musical and dance performances and the return of the popular Stormtroopers, last at the Beaney in December 2015 for the opening of a Star Wars memorabilia exhibition.

New displays will also be unveiled in the People and Places and Explorers and Collectors galleries, including Canterbury’s most famous cat – Bagpuss – along with the Clangers, Rupert Bear and the Canterbury Cross, recently named one of the 100 objects that made Kent.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to buy a limited edition Beaney print, created specially for the birthday celebrations by artist Hugh Ribbans.

Canterbury City Council’s director of museums and galleries, Jo Jones, said: “We are delighted to be marking five years of the new and revitalised Beaney and have a great programme planned for the birthday event.

“It’s an opportunity to celebrate the Beaney’s achievements, thank our visitors for their support and look ahead to the exciting plans we have for the future.”

The Beaney has been awarded National Portfolio Organisation status as part of the Kent and Medway Museums Partnership which will provide four years of funding, which will allow for the museum to build on its health and wellbeing work.

Other plans include a new family gallery and a Ladybird Books exhibition next year.

For more information go to thebeaney.co.uk