BUGS, slugs and creepy crawlies that make their home in the North Pennines will be getting the recognition they deserve thanks to a half a million pound project that will record and celebrate nature’s mini monsters.

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership has announced that next year will see the start of a five-year science and arts initiative, called Cold Blooded and Spineless.

Confirmation of a £400,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) means that groups in the North Pennines will benefit from investment into educational activities, themed events and interpretive science.

The project will record and celebrate invertebrates and aim to develop public support for insect life.