YOUNGSTERS have been taking a closer look at the 'monsters' on the outside a Chester city centre building.

In the days leading up to heritage week, primary school pupils at Chester Bluecoat CE Primary School have visited Bishop Lloyd's Palace on Watergate Street to meet Chester Civic Trust and learn about the history of the building.

Bishop Lloyd's Palace was gifted to the people of Chester by the Brown family in 1948. The building is over 400 years old and was originally two separate townhouses.

Children looked at the imaginary people and creatures carved on the front of the Grade I-listed building.

Such mystical carvings were said to be the Tudors' own version of science fiction, featuring such creatures believed to exist on the fringes of the known world at the time.

They are fitting decorations for a mansion, which carries the heraldic device of the Merchant Adventurers.

The gathering helped mark National Civic Day, which was established to increase awareness of the need to protect and safeguard 'special places' for local communities.