ALMOST 1,200 children from 27 primary schools will explore the era of medieval monks next month.

Scripture Union will host Lifepath, exploring life and faith in the Middle Ages, amid the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, from July 3 to 6.

Abbey owners Ian and Carol Burdon have offered the site to Scripture Union following a similar event two years ago.

Lifepath gives pupils and teachers the chance to make a "pilgrim journey" through workshops on drama, music, creative activities, acts of worship and discovery. They are linked to the lives of Cistercian monks, who arrived at Jervaulx hundreds of years ago.

The event has been co-ordinated by Scripture Union's North Yorkshire staff worker Piers Lane and his wife, Fran, a Methodist minister in the Bedale circuit.

Mr Lane said: "This is a great opportunity for young people to explore life and faith by looking at the life path travelled by the monks. It will be fun, challenging and, most importantly, the day will give them a chance to consider their own journey through life."

More than 60 volunteers will act as pilgrim guides, running workshops exploring Cistercian lifestyles and pastimes. Retired surgeon Dr Robert Hall, from Castle Bolton, near Leyburn, will show how monks used herbs and flowers as medicine.

Jervaulx Abbey has no electricity and local farmers have provided portable generators.