HEXHAM Old Gaol is to mark its reopening with a new exhibition inspired by Northumberland's animals.

A Northumberland Menagerie, which opens on April 9, is a series of exhibitions using animals to tell stories of community, climate change, migration, and identity.

The exhibition Over Familiars by visual artist Bethan Maddocks looks at stories of witchcraft, trials and incarceration in Northumberland and the animals connected to them.

“Community folk stories about the historic witch trials and historical records and documents held at Northumberland Archives were the inspiration for this exhibition", said Bethan.

“The trials were, in part, driven by gender and class inequalities, and I want audiences to think about how those same inequalities impact people’s lives today.

“The animals featured in this exhibition may seem very ordinary, but it was often small household pets, like cats and birds, that legend has it would serve as a witch’s companion.”

In addition to the exhibition at Hexham Old Gaol, A Northumberland Menagerie also includes exhibitions at Woodhorn Museum, Berwick Museum and Art Gallery, and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum.

Rowan Brown, chief executive of Museums Northumberland, added: “While Bethan has exhibited at Woodhorn Museum before, this will be the first time her work has been on display across all four of our sites.

“Her highly intricate artworks, which often use paper, light and fabrics, always have a commending presence and wow audiences young and old.

“A Northumberland Menagerie is a beautiful exhibition that uses animals and the natural world to address important issues in our society and share stories from Northumberland’s past.”

The exhibition will run until October 30.

Hexham Old Gaol officially reopens from April 6 after its winter closure.