ONE of the region's top attractions has added another award to its own honour's list.

The National Railway Museum in York beat rivals across the country to collect the Classic Award at the Museum and Heritage Show Awards. The award was in recognition of the museum's record of growth and commitment to improving the experience for its visitors. Since becoming the first national museum to open outside London in 1975, it has extended to include three halls.

RARE CHURCH: Church custodian Leigh Wetherall will hold a talk on the Holy Trinity Church, York. With illustrations, she will discuss the church's Victorian box pews, 14th Century doorway, stained glass window and memorial gravestones. The talk will take place at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold, next Friday, at 7.30pm.

CYCLE LANE: Work will begin next week on the second length of cycletrack on Knaresborough Hill towards Mother Shipton's Cave. The work, which will include widening of the grass verge and planting hedgerow, will take two months. Traffic travelling up the hill will be restricted to one lane.

VIKING TALK: Julian Richards, BBC archaeologist and presenter, will give a lecture on the Vikings today, at 7pm, at the Yorkshire Museum, York. Tickets are £5, available on (01904) 551800.

YOUNG MUSICIAN: The BBC's Young Musician of the Year, 13-year-old Jennifer Pike, visited Queen Margaret's School, in Escrick, near York, to help with a workshop for pupils and perform in a concert.

GARDEN SCHEME: Plans to build a shop, polytunnel and pergola in the walled garden at Castle Howard have been given the go-ahead by Ryedale councillors.