THE reopening of one of English Heritage's most treasured sites will be celebrated at the weekend.

Mount Grace Priory, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was forced to shut earlier this year because of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

But the ruin will be back in business on Saturday and Sunday, with costumed duo Heuristics describing the origins of Christmas.

Custodian Becky Wright said: "This is our first special event after being closed for ten months due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak. Heuristics are old favourites at Mount Grace and always prove incredibly popular.

"They will be reviving the Lord of Misrule - a title dating back to the time of Edward IV. The king appointed His Lordship each Christmas to oversee revelry and ensure there was plenty of wine, women and song."

Heuristics' shows get under way at 11am and 1.30pm each day.