‘When Elephants Came to Otley’ will be the theme of fun events for all the family during half-term.

Otley Courthouse and artist Vickie Orton are carrying out a research project about the heritage of the circus coming to Otley in the 1960s. The project started after photographs were unearthed which showed elephants parading down the town's streets.

A spokesperson said: "We wanted the community to learn more about it, so we’ve been talking to ‘Otley natives’ and long-time residents about their memories. These elephant stories will have accompanying artwork that will be exhibited at the Courthouse in March.

"Until then, we’re proud to announce our half-term schedule, where we’ll be hosting a range of elephant-themed workshops. All the art from these workshops will then be featured in our exhibition."

The following events are planned: February 22, Workshop: Lino Printed Elephants.

Local artist Vickie Orton will be helping children and adults produce their own lino printed elephants. Start time 2pm. Ticket price £6. Age 6 and over.

February 23, Workshop: Stop Motion Animation. Any young people aged between 8 and 14 will also be given the opportunity to create their own stop motion animation films with professional filmmaker Dawn Feathers - whose work includes the award-winning independent film, Lad: A Yorkshire Story. Participants will start by creating plasticine characters and designing their own animation sets. Then using storyboard and stop motion software the group will start their own editing process. Start time 10am and 1.30pm. Ticket price £6. Age 8-14.

February 24, Workshop: Handprint Elephants. Vickie Orton will be helping young children make their own elephant handprints. One of the simplest and most intuitive ways of making visual art, this workshop will show young children that art can be interactive, easy and fun.Start time10.30am. Ticket price £4. Age 5 and under.

February 26, Workshop: Needle Felted Elephants. Vickie Orton will be showing you how to needle felt your own elephant. This class will be aimed at teenagers and adults. Needle felting supplies will be available for sale at the end of the workshop if anyone wants to take their newfound skill further. Start time10.30am and 2pm.Ticket price £6 per adult.

February 20, Rhubarb Theatre presents: Dustbin Doris.Start time 2pm. Ticket price £8/10.

Dustbin Doris is the new family-friendly theatre performance from London’s Rhubarb Theatre Group. Described as ‘waste-deep in theatrical play, puppetry, mask, dance, song and lots of laughter’ – Doris is a kaleidoscopic visual fantasy which aims to teach children about protecting the environment and caring for our most vulnerable citizens.

To book tickets visit www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, call the box office on 01943 467466 or pop into the Courthouse on Courthouse Street, Otley, LS21 3AN.