AN EVENT designed to encourage people to research the place in which they live is to be held in North Yorkshire.

History on your Doorstep is a free event taking place to showcase the work of local history groups and organisations to encourage and inspire people to begin their own research.

It will run at Pickering Library on Saturday, April 30 from 10am until 4pm.

Ryedale Family History Group, North Yorkshire County Library Service and North Yorkshire County Record Office have joined forces to host the event in Pickering.

Peter Braithwaite, chair of the group, said: “History on your Doorstep will demonstrate the huge range of local history that can be looked at, from families, houses and villages or towns and how they developed.

“Our aim is to inspire new groups to set up a project, be it for the local war memorial or as part of a village plan.

“We are happy to help and the day will be an excellent opportunity to chat to other groups and attend some informative talks.”

There will be displays and information stands by local history groups and organisations which can offer help and advice on subjects such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Talks are planned for the afternoon, on topics including researching the local war memorial, using online resources, using the record office, setting up a history group or a community archive and funding projects.

There will also be activity for children, where they can create and take home their own medieval seal.