It's official - puppets have grown up. Once the preserve of birthday parties for the under fives, they are now acc-eptable - even trendy - entertainment for adults, too. Or so proclaim an excited arts press.

But hold your horses, says Malcolm Knight, executive director of the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre. Haven't big people always enjoyed a puppet or two? Think of the Muppets.

"The term adult puppet theatre is not helpful," says Knight, whose exhibition, The Magic of Masks and Puppets, arrives at Kingston Musuem this week.

"Good puppet theatre plays to all ages, but it's a problem of perception. People do not see it as an art form in its own right."

With this exhibition, Knight aims to mend people's preconceptions. Not only does it feature a showcase of exhibits from around the world - shadow puppets from Greece, Turkey and Indonesia, rod puppets from Java and Punch and Judy - but it also boasts a fascinating film and television case, featuring Morag the Highland Cow from the BBC Saturday morning show Fully Booked, as well as the nightmarish Baby Dawn who crawled across the ceiling in Trainspotting.

Surely the use of animatronics in such an adult context as Danny Boyle's film has increased the profile of puppets in all media?

"All the signs are that it is an expanding area," concedes Knight. "But any emerging market is only as strong as its infrastructure. We need adequately funded dedicated spaces, not one off projects. Puppetry is pigeon-holed at the bottom of funding ladder."

According to Knight, there are less than 1,000 permanent audience seats available for puppet shows each week. Compare that to Poland, where there are still 30 puppet theatres funded directly by the State, and Russia, which has 150, and you realise that Britain has little excuse for its laxness.

"I'm not suggesting we should follow an Eastern Bloc model," says Knight. "But there can be no developement if you only fund in a piecemeal way. We are not good at looking after our cultural legacies in this country and unless we fund training, these skills will die."

Knight began his own career on Button Moon, the cult TV show beloved of children, parents and students alike. And if Mr and Mrs Spoon do not testify to puppetry's crossover appeal, nothing does.

The final message - puppetry is not here to be patronised. Or as Knight puts it: "I'm not waiting for puppet theatre to grow up. It grew up a long time ago."

The Magic of Masks and Puppets, Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, from March 10. Call 020 8547 6460.