THE public are invited to visit a County Durham museum after hours as part of a popular events programme.

The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, will open its doors on Thursday, September 8, as part of their Lates! evening event.

Complementing the Artists, Farmers and Philosophers symposium taking place in Teesdale, the event, which runs from 5pm until 10pm, opens with an opportunity to see the current exhibition, Shoes: Pleasure and Pain, organised by the V&A.

Timed slots can be booked for 5pm, 6pm or 7pm.

From 6pm there will also be a chance to view the completion of an art installation in the museum grounds by Finnish artist Henna Asikainen, aided by a group of refugees based in Newcastle.

Inside the building a keynote talk by writer and Fun Palaces director Stella Duffy OBE, which begins at 6.30pm, kick-starts a sequence of informal and entertaining talks about the art, poetry, farming and philosophy of landscape.

Kando Theatre for Kids will also be performing shadow puppet theatre from 6.30pm.

Café Bowes will also be open while visitors can head to the very top of the building to catch the stunning view of the sunset from the Library.

The evening rounds off with dancing to the music of refugee band, Crossings.

The Lates! evening is free with admission which is £10.50 for adults, £9.50 concessions and £7.00 for students, and includes admission to the Shoes: Pleasure and Pain exhibition.

Tickets can be bought online or in person from the museum.