Tate Modern hosts sleepover party

The children will sleep in the Turbine Hall

London's Tate Modern is staying open after hours to host a special sleepover party for 150 children.

Schoolchildren from across the UK will spend the night in the Turbine Hall in an attempt to increase the South Bank museum's appeal to young people.

They will sleep in tents which they have decorated with inspiration provided by the Tate Collection.

Director Sir Nicholas Serota said: "We want to significantly broaden the audiences who visit Tate Modern."

Fast-changing world

Last year saw a 21% increase in the number of visitors compared to 2005, of which 60% were under the age of 35.

The Tate is also inviting young people to influence its future by designing a "creative manifesto" for Britain in the 21st Century.

Mr Serota said the museum had to respond to a fast-changing world.

"There is a great deal more interest not only in contemporary and modern art, but in being more actively-involved participants instead of being passive learners.

"In the future we are going to act as a platform and as a publisher of others' ideas as well as our own. We are going to bring an increased diversity to our thinking."

In another of the museum's campaigns Premiership Kickz will work with youngsters living in disadvantaged areas or who have been excluded from school.

Using football, children will be invited to look around the Tate's galleries and learn about art.