The new galleries cost �13m to develop

Arts Minister Estelle Morris is officially opening the facility at Newcastle's Discovery Museum.

Play Tyne, is an interactive gallery featuring the River Tyne, with working models of its landmark bridges.

It is one of four new Tyne galleries which have been created as part of a �13m redevelopment of the museum.

The minister was given the opportunity to be the first to try out the interactive model, with the help of a group of young children, who will be among several pre-booked groups to test the gallery before it opens to the public on 14 February.

The aim of Play Tyne is to encourage young children to explore, through play, the way the river works and the many different ways water can be used.

It and the other Tyne galleries - Story of the Tyne, Tyneside Challenge and Working Lives - celebrate the industrial and cultural history of the 15 miles of river from Newburn to Tynemouth.

Estelle Morris praised the work of the Discovery Museum

During her visit to the region the minister was also visiting Newcastle University's Hatton Gallery, where preparations were underway for the opening of its latest exhibition "Naming the Money", which features 100 life-sized painted figures by leading artist Lubaina Himid.

She was also touring The Sage music centre in Gateshead to see how work is progressing on the �70m complex, which is due to open in 2005.

Estelle Morris said: "Play Tyne and the redevelopment at the Discovery Museum will provide a fantastic new, state-of-the-art museum for people to enjoy and learn about their local area.

"I'm glad to see the region is forging ahead with its cultural projects, which will bring benefits to the region in terms of facilities, investment and new jobs."

The �13m redevelopment of the Discovery Museum was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Newcastle City Council and the European Regional Development Fund.

The Play Tyne display will include replica working coal drops and cranes used to load and unload ships, a set of 'boat kits' for children to assemble their own boats and working models of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Swing Bridge.