THOSE who are scared of the dark should avoid visiting two city museums later this month.

On Friday, November 26, the lights of the Pitts Rivers Museum will be switched off and visitors invited to explore by torchlight.

In the shadows inside the building in Parks Road , they will come face to face with a resident Egyptian mummy and collection of Japanese masks.

While at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, in the same building, people can explore dinosaurs by lantern light and listing to live jazz and blues music.

It is all part of Oxford’s Christmas Light Night, where venues across the city will stay open later to celebrate the Christmas light switch-on.

Marketing manager Kate Webber said: “People will have the chance to really explore and take a look in the dark corners of Pitts Rivers.

“We have things stored everywhere, in corners and drawers, so there will be lots to see. Plus with our collection of masks on display, there’ll be eyes watching you everywhere.”

Music entitled ‘The Warmth of Winter’ will be played, along with recordings from Inuit and Siberian cultures.

Mrs Webber promised: “It will be a really atmospheric evening.”

In the history museum bands will be playing music in the main hall, where the dinosaurs are kept.

Mrs Webber said: “It will just all look really beautiful and is the perfect way to start the Christmas season.”

There will be mask-making for children and a bar serving festive drinks for the adults in the group.

Free entry to the events is given on a first-come, first-served basis.

The torchlight event at the Pitt Rivers is based on timed tickets available on the night, so people should get there early to avoid disappointment.