MORE than 1,200 competitors and spectators will be arriving in North Yorkshire this weekend to attend the third biggest event in the national orienteering calendar.

The White Rose Orienteering competition, which is sponsored by Yorkshire Water, has been organised by Eborienteers.

The annual event attracts orienteers from all over the UK, but last year the event was cancelled - for only the second time in its 30-year history - because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

As a result, more than 1,000 competitors, some from as far away as Switzerland and Ireland, are keener than ever to be involved in this year's three-day event, which is taking place near Thirsk.

Yorkshire Water, together with contract partner Morrison Utility Services, will be supplying more than 4,000 gallons of water for the event so that competitors can quench their thirst during and after the competition.

The company will also be providing more than 1,500 fill-and-carry bottles so that competitors can carry water with them during the event.

Eborienteers is the orienteering club covering the eastern part of North Yorkshire, which includes York, Malton, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and South Hambleton.

The club is affiliated to Yorkshire and Humberside Orienteering and the British Orienteering Federation.