THE award winning Imperial War Museum North is mounting a series of free events and activities for all ages to mark the 90th year since the end of the First World War.

Highlights include a major exhibition based on the book Frightful First World War which sets author Terry Deary's powerful words and artist Martin Brown's acerbic illustrations alongside Imperial War Museum's unrivalled collections, to tell the stories of the men and women, servicemen and civilians, who shaped and endured what was described as ‘the war to end all wars’.

It’s a great free day out for all of the family and exhibition highlights include Kaiser Wilhelm II's greatcoat, the helmet which King George V wore to visit the Western Front, a letter from Siegfried Sassoon (written in Craiglockhart War Hospital while being treated for "Shell Shock"), a collection of documents relating to the famous Christmas truce, the pen which signed the prolongation armistice, original signs from trenches and even German toilet paper!

Over 200 iconic objects and moving personal stories from the First World War on permanent display in the Main Exhibition Space include: the 13-pounder field gun that fired Britain's very first shell of the First World War; the bell from the British passenger liner Lusitania, torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine while on the way back to Liverpool from New York. The liner sank and 1,201 men, women and children lost their lives.

There are also personal effects belonging to Edith Cavell, the Red Cross nurse who helped over 200 allied soldiers to safety and was shot at dawn in Belgium by the Germans.

There’s also an international cap, boots, trophies and letters belonging to legendary rugby league forward and champion wrestler Douglas Clark. During the First World War, Doug served with the Army Service Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant, was gassed twice, peppered with shrapnel and was awarded the Military Medal.

This weekend there are themed tours at the Trafford Park museum and on Sunday at 11am two minutes silence will be observed followed by a piper’s lament and songs for remembrance with The Alteri Choir at 3pm.

Special Theatre performances of A November Day will be staged by Thingumajig Theatre at 7pm on Saturday, November 8 and Tuesday, November 11, when puppet characters and live music tell the tale of a First World War veteran.

Booking is required on 0870 428 0785 or www.quaytickets.com, tickets cost £11, concessions £7, families (of 4) £30 (includes parking).