DAVID Attenborough's landmark television series The Life of Mammals brought wildlife in its most primitive form into our living rooms.

Now the exhibition is touring the country and has arrived in Manchester for a brief stay at the Museum of Science and Industry.

And it's an exhibition that is suitable for all ages -- especially giving young, budding Attenboroughs the chance to see what goes on behind the scenes of BBC wildlife filming.

It is also an opportunity to discover fascinating facts about mammal behaviour and provides us with the chance to find out just where and how we humans fit in among the diversity that exists in the world of the warm-blooded.

Visitors to the exhibition will find themselves on a fascinating journey, during which the four senses of sight, sound, smell and touch are engaged through exciting, hands-on exhibits and activities.

SIGHT: The centrepiece of the exhibition is a true to life mock-up of where a cameraman hides when he is filming animals in their natural habitat. Here visitors can take a sneaky peak to see what's being filmed.

Then, they can also have a go at editing together actual shots from the series and seeing, if only for a day, their own name on the credits.

SOUND: The SoundSphere is an inflatable interactive hemisphere which immerses visitors in the acoustic world of nature. There is the British woodland, the African Savannah or the deep, blue ocean.

You can hear the call of a distant bat, a chimp -- even a whale -- then, as you move towards it for a closer encounter, you are met with the sound of David Attenborough's voice telling you incredible and informative stories about the animals' lives.

It really is an unforgettable acoustic experience.

SMELL: Here we are encouraged to take a big sniff. And you'll discover just how important smell is in the animal kingdom. You will also discover that what may be a horrible pong to one mammal -- and us -- might well be considered as fragrant as a rose to the nose of another!

TOUCH: Mammal coverings certainly come in all shapes, colours and textures and this section of the exhibition allows visitors to come over all "touchy-feely".

There is cuddly fur and downy fluff to stroke, rubber-like blubber and armour-like scales to feel -- mammals certainly come in all manner of wonderful varieties. It's fun to compare their own skins with that of yours. After all, we are their warm-blooded cousins!

The tour also gives a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how this captivating series was made.

There are talks from the programme makers, mammal workshops, the chance to view previously unseen footage plus opportunities to get interactive with BBC through the web and digital TV.

Joining the tour is a new BBC Worldwide initiative, an educational simulator attraction, on show for the first time. In partnership with Camber Entertainment, The Life of Mammals simulator allows visitors to experience an exhilarating journey by Land Rover, helicopter and snow-sled as they go 'Hunting with the Big Cats'! The unique 'ride film' content combines stunning picture quality, surround-sound audio, dynamic motion and real effects such as wind and smell. The result is a truly 'immersive' ride where the audience actually becomes part of the action.

The Life Of Mammals BBC workshop: Saturday, March 15 - Sunday, March 16 11am - 4pm. Explore the world of mammals and find out more about makes them so spectacularly successful at this hands-on workshop for families. Admission is free.

The Life Of Mammals Behind The Scenes: Saturday, March 15 - Sunday, March 16 2pm. Meet crew from the TV series and discover the secrets of wildlife filming and programme making. Admission is free.

The exhibition runs to Sunday, March 16 at the Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester. Admission is free. Further details are available on the BBC helpline 0845 30 40 333 or visit www.bbc.co.uk/nature