THERE'S plenty of marvellous events, entertainment ideas and arty outlets on offer this half-term in easy travelling distance of Stroud.

The SNJ offers this useful guide to some of the best events for parents who want to drag the children away from the computer.

They could start the week with The Great West Bird Fair at the WWT Slimbridge on Saturday and Sunday, February 11 and 12, celebrating the trust's 60th anniversary wild swan feeds, workshops, talks, guided tours and stalls.

Why not combine the Rock and Fossil Roadshow at Prinknash Abbey and Bird Gardens with the Rococo Gardens at Painswick with its homely restaurant, beautiful gardens with carpets of snowdrops and a maze and wildlife trail for the children to enjoy?

If the weather should turn miserable, indoor entertainment includes Snow White on Ice at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre, Tuesday, February 14 to February 25 and story-telling for children at Ruskin Mill, Nailsworth on Saturday, February 18.

For children wanting to explore their creative talents, there's felt making at The Museum in the Park, Stroud, making Roman Mosaics and a writing voyage at Cirencester's Corinium Museum, creating jewellery at Prema in Uley or the chance to make a bird house or feeder at Westonbirt Arboretum.

Drama and dance skills are catered for with workshops at The Space, Stroud, Cheltenham Everyman Theatre and Cheltenham Playhouse and The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury.

On Saturday, February 11, budding stilt-walkers, uni-cyclers and tightrope-walkers can enjoy a circus skill class at The Methodist Hall, Tewkesbury (book Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury), for ages 16+.

Less daring teenagers may enjoy bizarre and inventive puppet-making from junk at the Chipping Hall, Wotton-under-Edge.

For teenagers into music, some may enjoy Cheltenham Folk Festival, Thursday, February 9 to Sunday, February 12, whilst others may prefer moshing to rock music the DMS Battle of the Bands competition taking place on Saturday, February 11, at The Comrades Club, Nailsworth.