HISTORIAN and leading authority on medieval churches Sophie Weston is to run a course this autumn at the Helmsley Arts Centre focussing on ancient buildings in Ryedale.

She has retired to Pickering after a career which included being a musician at the Royal Academy of Music and teaching at Giggleswick School.

The course sessions are to be held each Thursday afternoon, starting today.

She said: "The course is designed for anyone, however inexperienced in church visiting, who would like to know more about churches and their architecture."

For details, contact Miss Weston on (01751) 475654.