THE ear-shattering noise of 3,000 drums will form the spectacular centrepiece of one of the country's largest youth festivals.

Even dustbins will be used as makeshift percussion instruments for the record-breaking attempt at North Yorkshire's Youth Arts Festival 2003, on July 5.

Organisers are scouring the county for instruments to be used in the event, which is co-ordinated by the county council through its Connecting Youth Culture (CYC) project.

Festival team member Alex Cromarty, 20, of Northallerton, said: "We need anything you can hit for what will be the largest drum workshop certainly this county has ever seen.

"We are hoping to borrow as many drums as we can but will also use anything we can get our hands on, including dustbins."

The team has managed to recruit session drummer Mike Dolbear, who runs a drummers' website and has played alongside pop superstar Robbie Williams.

"Drums are great. They were one of the first musical instruments and offer a universal language," said Alex.

The festival will be staged for the second year running at Tadcaster Grammar School, from 10.30am to 11pm. Last year, it attracted more than 1,300 people.

Festival co-ordinator Charlie Toothill said the extravaganza was expected to be bigger and better than ever with a host of musical acts, dance, arts and crafts, drama and workshops.

She said: "It's a celebration of what has been happening throughout the year with CYC and all of the young people we have worked with coming together to showcase their talent.

"It's a real eye-opener for young people who have not had any contact with the arts."