THOUSANDS of young people are expected to take part in a big festival in North Yorkshire this summer.

The month-long Celebration of Youth, in Ryedale, will see workshops, training sessions, and activities for youngsters aged eight and over.

The festival will take place from July 12 to August 10.

It was planned in the wake of the success of the dry-pub scheme and teen discos at Pickering which have resulted in a dramatic drop in youth crime in the market town.

Vandalism and anti-social behaviour have plummeted according to the police and Pickering is now seen as a good example of how to provide activities for teenagers in North Yorkshire and beyond.

About 2,000 young people are expected to be involved in the festival, which is costing £18,000 to stage. Funding has already been promised towards the target by Ryedale District Council, Pickering Town Council, the National Lottery's Awards for All, and now local businesses are being asked to help by sponsoring some of the workshops.