THE PUPPET SHOW "RUMPELSTILTSKIN" -- Theatre Church, Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton on Saturday December 1 at 2.30pm and 7pm. This half life-size puppet show is performed by the world renowned Presto Puppet Theatre company and is suitable for both adults and children. Tickets are available from "Justicia" 81 Knowsley Street, Bolton, priced £4 which includes refreshments.

THE ALBERT HALLS, Bolton, The Sooty Show, November 18. Details 01204 334400.

THE GREEN ROOM, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester -- When Snow Falls, a wintry tale exploring friendship and communication for family audiences with pre-show activities. Presented by Half Moon Young People's Theatre, Sunday November 25, 2pm. £6 and £5 concs. Details 0161 615 0515.

BUXTON OPERA house, Water Street, Buxton -- The Children's Project, an adventure for children aged eight and over presented by Random Dance. Sunday, November 25, 7.30pm. Tickets £8. Christmas Pantomime, Dick Whittington, a traditional family show where Dick hopes to make his fame and fortune on the streets of London, opening performance December 14. Box Office 01298 72190.

ANNUAL NORTH WEST BIRD FAIR, Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Burscough, Lancashire. Talks and workshops, stalls and exhibits, including bird holidays, books, telescopes, outdoor clothing and bird food suppliers. Doors open at 9am. Sunday, November 18. Details 01704 895181.Tel 01704 895181.

TATE LIVERPOOL, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Events for families every Sunday between 1.30-4.30pm. 'Art Quest' every Sunday (apart from the last Sunday of the month) for an encounter with Modern British Art. 'Great Art Adventure' (last Sunday of the month) games and studio activities for children age five and up with accompanying adults. No need to book, just drop in. Details 0151 702 7451.

CLIFTON COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE, Clifton House Road, Swinton. Sunday November 18 at 11am, a family friendly walk through the river valley to Moses Gate Country Park and back along the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal to Clifton. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission free. Details 0161 793 4219.

Smithills HALL , Smithills Dean Road, Bolton -- The Hall is now open all year round for visitors to walk around the formal gardens or visit the Hall. Smithills has a family history of over 600 years and a series of rooms covering the period from the Medieval through to the late Victorian. Winter opening times are Tuesday and Saturday 1-5pm, Sunday 2-5pm, Tours and schools by prior arrangement. £3 entry, £1.75 conc, £7.50 family. Further Details 01204 332377.

HACK GREEN SECRET NUCLEAR BUNKER, off the A530 Whitchurch road, Nantwich. Discover the secret world of nuclear government by entering the massive blast doors into the 35,000 sq ft complex where you will be transported into the chilling world of the Cold War. The tour includes many audio visuals and children can explore the Soviet Spy Mouse Trail. Open daily all year round from 11am. Tel 01270 629219.

THE LOWRY, Salford Quays. Family activities for children aged five to 11 and adults led by artists. Every Saturday. Starts 11am to 1pm. Admission £2 for children £1.50 for Salford residents. Family Corner on the Deck - a special area for families with books Building in a Box and drawing activities for children under seven available during gallery opening times. Admission free. For details of gallery opening times phone 0161 876 2000.

TATTONDALE HOME FARM, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire. For more details phone 01625 534431.

PORTLAND BASIN, Portland Place, Ashton-under-Lyne. Tel 0161 343 2878.

NORTON PRIORY MUSEUM AND GARDENS, Runcorn. Tel 01928 569895.

CATALYST, The Museum of the Chemical Industry, Widnes. Tel 0151 420 1121.

ROYTON ASSEMBLY HALL, Market Square, Royton, Oldham. Tel 0161 911 4072.

DUNHAM MASSEY HALL, Altrincham, Cheshire. Free quizzes for children, guides tours of the house and family tours, music and croquet in the garden. Open daily except Thursday and Friday. Tel 0161 941 1025.

DOCK ROAD EDWARDIAN PUMPING STATION, Weir St, off London Road, Northwich. Tel 01257 260157. Northwich Water Heritage Trail guided walks every Sun at 3pm from the Edwardian Pumping Station. Industrial heritage of the River Weaver and Northwich. Guided trail walk. Dock Road Edwardian Pumping Station visitor facility open from 2pm to 5pm Sundays and Bank Holidays. Wardens demonstrate gas-fired engines and pumps in attractive grade two listed building. On-site parking and disabled access. Adm adults 50p, children and conc 25p.

THACKRAY MEDICAL MUSEUM, Beckett Street, Leeds. Experience the drama of life and medicine through the ages with interactive galleries and exhibitions. Travel through a reconstruction of the slums of Victorian Leeds, learn how Blossom the cow was the source of the first vaccine against smallpox, how the dramatic story of surgery is told through pain, pus and blood and how babies where delivered in 1890. Open Tuesday to Sunday and holiday Mondays 10am-5pm. Last admission 3pm. Admission £4.40 for adults, children aged five to 16 £3.30, concessions. £3.60 and family tickets £14. Tel 0113 244 4343.