A COMPETITION has been set up for primary schools in North Yorkshire to design a Roman mosaic.

In the competition, organised by the archaeology team at North Yorkshire County Council, children have been asked to design a mosaic in time for the start of National Archaeology Week on July 16.

They have been asked to show what materials it would have been made from and what sort of room it may have been found in.

Councillor Peter Sowray, executive member for environmental services, said: "This is a great opportunity within Key Stage 2 history to link in design and technology, numeracy, literacy, even local history if the school is lucky enough to be near a Roman site."

For some Roman inspiration, children can visit Aldborough, in Boroughbridge, and see mosaics in the on-site museum, or Malton museum.

The winners will get the chance to see their design created.

The archaeology week runs until July 24 and several historical sites will be holding events to coincide with it.

Details can be found by visiting www.britarch.ac.uk/ naw.

All competition entries must be completed and sent in hard copy by Friday, July 1, to Linda Smith, Rural Archaeologist, Heritage Unit, Countryside Service, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AH.