NIGHT owls are being urged to make a festive date with winter constellations and shooting stars under the dark skies of the Yorkshire Dales.

Powerful telescopes will be aimed at celestial targets in Keld on Saturday, December 15, far away from the light pollution that snubs out the stars elsewhere.

The event also coincides with the Geminid meteor shower – the best of the year – so shooting stars may well be visible. There will also be tips on how to use telescopes and binoculars.

“There is no substitute for a dark sky and the Dales is one of the best stargazing areas we have left in England," said amateur astronomer Richard Darn. "The winter sky in particular is stunning with great constellations like Orion dominating the sky and star clusters glittering like diamonds. A meteor shower is the icing on the cake.”

The venue is Keld Resource Centre and the event goes ahead in all weather.