EXCITED youngsters experienced a “Night at the Museum”.

Bolton Museum opened its doors one evening to welcome nearly 100 children — and adults — to explore the galleries and exhibits by torchlight.

And, just as in the film starring Ben Stiller, there was a whole manner of weird and wonderful goings-on — from being mummified to coming face-to-face with dinosaur remains and even cockroaches from Madagascar.

Max Brady, aged nine, said: “It is a bit like the film Night at the Museum. It has been very good, I have enjoyed it a lot — holding dinosaur bones and seeing the birds of prey was great.”

Jake Kearney, aged eight, from Heaton, said: “It is interesting seeing the museum at night, it does look different.”

Lucan Williams-Aron, aged eight, from Sharples found himself being turned into a mummy.

“It was really sweaty being turned into a mummy — but it has been fun coming to the museum at this time and dressing up,” he said.

The museum opened after sunset as part of the national Museums at Night festival.

Anne Burns, museum collections officer, said: “It has been a very popular event — all the places were taken and we had a reserve list.

“The event is part of a national festival where museums open at night so people can see them in a different light — we started planning this last year. It has been great to see the expressions on the children’s faces as they go around the museum.”

Emma Woods, from Sharples, went to the event with her family. She said: “It is a brilliant event. We have been looking forward to it and it is a good way to raise the profile of the museum.”

Cllr Anthony Connell, Cabinet member for culture, who was among the visitors, said: “It has been a great event. I have seen the film Night at the Museum and enjoyed them, and this is similar to that — I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The festival is a great initiative and everyone looked to be enjoying it.”