The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms is celebrating the fact that the summer's here and that schools are almost out, with a host of seasonal activities during the holiday period.

It's the perfect time, for example, for visitors young and old to the Centre to meet Moley and Wiggly Woo and - in true, time-honoured fashion - to do a little bit of Pond Dipping.

The Pond Dipping sessions are part of the Centre's weekly sessions which explore nature whatever the weather. Best suited to the under 5's, the next session is scheduled for July 25th, is free of charge, and needs an adult present with the child at all times.

Moley and Wiggly Woo, meanwhile, are the star characters in an underground adventure with giant worms and moles laid on by the Centre between July 25th and 29th, and again from August 8th to 12th. Suited to children between the ages of 3 and 11, these sessions cost £3 per child, and encourage participants to make a flower and pet worm to take home with them.

Teddy Bears are being invited to share a picnic at the Centre between both August 1st and 5th, and again from August 15th to 19th.  Each of these picnics will include delicious meadow food, campfire cooking, games to play and songs to sing.  Suited to children aged between 3 and 11, each picnic costs £3 to join.

Kids aged 5 - 11 are then being encouraged to hug trees and hammer leaves between August 22nd-26th, and August 29th-September 2nd!

While the "tree hugging" is actually a GPS-led tree trail, it is hoped that participants in this activity will also create a unique art piece for themselves using leaves and a hammer.  Each session will again cost £3 to join-in.  And, as ever, each child must be accompanied by a grown-up.

Booking is advised for all summer activities at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre (Tel: 01588-676060).

The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre is located just off the A49 in Craven Arms, a few miles north of Ludlow.