DETAILS are beginning to emerge of what will be included in the Great Exhibition of the North and how the public can get involved.

People are being encouraged to become part of the largest event in England and join a team of more than 1,000 passionate and enthusiastic volunteers over the 80-day, once in a lifetime event, which has so far attracted funding of £11.95m.

There will be a variety of volunteer roles, opportunities and activities, from welcoming an audience of three million visitors to interpreting and bringing to life the themes of the exhibition, leading school groups along the trails and playing a vital role as event support at special, one-off occasions.

Volunteer opportunities will be accessible and flexible to fit around other commitments and training will be given in the lead up to the event to give volunteers the tools, skills and confidence to be part of the Exhibition.

Volunteers will be rewarded for their commitment with exclusive invitation to previews, social gatherings and celebration events.

The Great Exhibition of the North concept was announced by the former chancellor George Osborne in his budget of November 2015. In July 2016, four towns and cities were shortlisted – Blackpool, Bradford, Sheffield and Newcastle-Gateshead – while Halifax, Harrogate, Scunthorpe, St Helens and Whitehaven were unsuccessful.

In October last year, Newcastle and Gateshead were named the winners.

Young people will be able to discover how the North will provide opportunities for their future and instill local pride thanks to free curriculum linked resources that will be available which highlight the art and culture, design and innovation that has been created in the North.

There will be potential to explore the three walking routes across NewcastleGateshead either with their school or family and an interactive summer camp for families.

Plans by Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist and TV garden designer Diarmuid Gavin to set up an urban garden on the banks of the Tyne in time for the Exhibition have been unveiled.

The temporary installation for the site between the Swing Bridge and HMS Calliope on Gateshead Quays aims to create a cultural oasis and be the largest container garden in the world. Plans which are subject to a planning application have now been submitted to Gateshead Council. The scheme is proposed to include open areas of trees and mixed planting alongside shipping containers that would house retail and catering units, art exhibitors and start-up businesses.

It aims to bring together cultural and social initiatives working alongside local businesses whilst also creating a key visitor destination for the 2018 Great Exhibition of the North and the NewcastleGateshead World Transplant Games in 2019.

The submission of the planning application is the first stage of the project which is planned to open in June 2018 to coincide with the start of the Great Exhibition of the North.

The Great Exhibition of the North has also teamed up with the Northern Powerhouse to encourage you to get behind the lens and capture the essence of what makes the North ‘Great’