DISCOVER more about the religious beliefs and passage from life to the afterlife in ancient Egypt at a new exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery in Lymington.

Out of Egypt explores the elaborate rituals intended to prepare the departed for an everlasting life after death and runs from January 16 to February 27.

Displays will feature original artefacts from the Hampshire Cultural Trust and Bournemouth Natural Science Society collections including coffin masks, animal mummies, and canopic jars, which were used during the mummification process to store and preserve the viscera of their owner for the afterlife. Also on show will be items that would have been placed in tombs such as amulets for protection from harm and danger; scarabs symbolising the holy beetle in ancient Egypt and Shabti figures, as well as a beautiful funerary boat.

The exhibition has been designed to appeal to school children and families through a host of activities, while still offering lots for adults to discover and enjoy. Themes include making a mummy, life after death, hieroglyphics, Egyptian numbers, gods and goddesses, Egyptomania - souvenirs and Egypt's influence on British culture.

Visit stbarbe-museum.org.uk or call 01590 676969.