COMIC book lovers were treated to a Beano exhibition in Test Valley last weekend.

The exhibition explored 80 years of mischief and mayhem from black-and-red beginnings to the full-colour capers of today at Mottisfont, Mottisfont Lane.

Beano Time Travellers! explored the heritage of the longest running children's comic in Britain.

Children had the chance to explore Mottisfont's past with their favourite Beanotown residents arranged in a trail.

BBC One Show presenter, Angelica Bell, who launched the exhibition, said: "Over the years I have done lots with the National Trust and I love what they do. I used to read Beano growing up and it is really iconic.

"It brings everyone together and the exhibition is brilliant."

Beano illustrator Nigel Parkinson was also at the event on July 20 to sign fans comics.

Alex Lewis, 10, from Portswood, said: "The comic is really fun. I like the pictures they have and the adventures they get up to. I started reading it in 2016 and I have a subscription with the people who publish it, which comes every Saturday."

Paul Esposti, 71, from Fareham, said: "It brings back a few memories as it was one of those comics you read as a youngster. I probably started reading them when I was six or seven, which was back in the 70s."

He added: "I don't think it has really changed and we do see similarities between Beano and Minnie the Minx which are cheeky and playful."

The exhibition featured the original artwork for the first Minnie the Minx comic, which has never been shown publicly before.

Residents also got the chance to discover how Minnie was created and see work from her current illustrator, Laura Howell.

The event will be running until September 8 from 11am until 5pm and admission can be paid at the door.