A VARIETY of fun and inventive children's workshops are being held in arts centre across Dorset next week.

The half-term activities cover everything from lantern-making to spooky finger-puppet design and are taking place at Dorchester Arts Centre and the Lighthouse at Poole.

At Dorchester, children can make their own beautiful willow lanterns on Monday and Tuesday, October 25 and 26 between 10am and 3pm.

The workshops are being run by Alex Grant from the Salisbury-based community art group Toozalii and the lanterns will be carried by the children through Dorchester town centre at the start of this year's Casterbridge Christmas Cracker night on Thursday, December 2.

The workshops cost £8 a day or £14 for both sessions. Call the arts centre on 01305 266926 for bookings and full details.

Across at the Lighthouse in Poole, there are four Hallowe'en-themed workshops to whet your appetite.

From Monday to Wednesday, October 25 to 27, youngsters aged between eight and 11 can try their hand at spooky film-making using the venue's hi-tech facilities. The three-day session costs £45.

On Monday, October 25 in sessions that run from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.15pm, kiddies aged between four and seven can try their hand at making Hallowe'en finger puppets. The workshops are £6.

The following day there is the chance to make star and planet mobiles (10.30am-12.30pm for four to seven-year-olds, 1.30pm-3.15pm for four you 11-year-olds, tickets £6).

On Wednesday, October 27 there will be spooky stories followed by the chance to make Trick or Treat masks, hats and bags. The workshops run from 10.30am to 12.15pm and 1.30pm to 3.15pm. They are suitable for children aged between four and seven and cost £6.

Lighthouse spokeswoman Ros Fry says: "Hallowe'en has had a bad press lately, with all the criticism about egg-throwing and youngsters being destructive.

"But here at the Lighthouse, we want to do something constructive. There's a lot for the kids to enjoy."

Call 01202 685222 to book Lighthouse workshop places.