AVAST me hearties, The Museum of Somerset’s summer exhibition, Pirates: Fact and Fiction is now open and landlubbers are invited.

This is your chance to find out everything about these legendary highwaymen of the sea, but were too afraid to ask.

You’ll meet Vikings, Barbary corsairs and Chinese pirates, see model ships and weapons. The exhibition includes spectacular costumes from film and literature, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan and Spartacus.

The museum will also tell the story of Somerset’s own buccaneer, William Dampier, who was born in West Coker in 1651 Although he served for a time in the navy, Dampier’s career was mainly spent as a buccaneer targeting Spanish ships and settlements along the Pacific coast of South America and Mexico.

On Saturday, the Pirate Play Deck will be opened, offering activities for children throughout the summer holidays.

Children will be able to dress up in pirate costumes, walk the plank, make treasures maps, and more.

The exhibition runs until October 1 (open Tuesday to Saturday) with the Pirate Play Deck open during school holidays and on Saturdays.

There will be a small admission charge of £2 per person for the exhibition (aged 3 and under will be admitted free of charge) and £2 per child for the Pirate Play Deck (aimed at ages 3 to 11.)