A PECULIAR animal called The Hoobee will be let loose at a Tring museum next Thursday.

The Hoobee is an animal invented by nine-year-old Alexander Coombs from London.

He is the winner of the Imaginary Animal Competition which ran during spring at The Natural History Museum at Tring.

The imaginary animal, described by Alexander as covered in feathers with spikes on top, beat off competition from more than 30 entries to be brought to life by creative costume designer, Georgina Davey.

The Hoobee will be let loose to roam around the galleries on Thursday, August 21. Or pop in to see the costume on display, along with all the other competition entries from August 22 to September 4.

Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 2 to 5pm and admission is free. For enquiries contact 020 79426171 or www.nhm.ac.uk/tring.