A CELEBRATION of the culture and heritage of the North York Moors throughout next month.

On Sunday, August 2 Moorfest will kick off a range of free family events taking place at Sutton Bank National Park Centre, between Thirsk and Helmsley, on Sundays in August.

People can find out about moths from Shandy Hall, birds from Helmsley’s International Birds of Prey Centre and bees, or try crafts or local produce.

The following Sunday, August 9 the focus will turn to the park’s woodlands and forest and there will be a tree trail around the Sutton Bank grounds, the chance to make woodland animal masks or create potato leaf prints with artist Julia Burns.

Sunday, August 16 will involve a celebration of minibeasts and there will be a spider safari, the chance to create a minibeast hotel for garden insects and a bug hunt. At Helmsley Walled Garden there will be a range of plants to attract bees and butterflies along with experts from the Yorkshire branch of the British Dragonfly Society.

The final Sutton Bank Sunday will be on August 23, when people can explore the national park with geocaching, follow a landscape detective trail around the visitor centre or speak with walk leaders about hidden gems on walks within the North York Moors.

All Sutton Bank Sunday events are free and run from 11am to 4pm. More information on these and other events taking place in the school summer holidays are at www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/events