A SPECIAL pack of activities which can be downloaded to keep youngsters entertained in the lockdown is being launched by a rural arts group.

The pay what you can pack includes a selection of hand drawn art activities for anyone aged over four. Rural Arts based in Thirsk, has been running RADISH, Rural Arts' Daily Inspiration online, a programme for youngsters which has been running every weekday for the past month to offer support during the lockdown.

Now to help struggling parents and youngsters they're making the artistic activities available on their site.

Chief Executive Max May said: "We’ve reached over 1,000 people via #RADISH so far, and it will keep running until we’re able to meet again in person. However, we know lots of communities across North Yorkshire aren’t online, or need a break from so much screen time. "Our new #RADISH Resource Pack has one activity a day for a full week, plus a special bonus inside.

"The Resource Pack can be downloaded from Rural Arts’ website for a donation of your choosing. We know that now is a really hard time for people financially, but, as we approach our thirtieth anniversary, we need to ensure Rural Arts itself is around for at least thirty more."

To help people who have limited access to computers Rural Arts is working with local community support organisations and other charities to safely distribute printed copies to those in need.

The activities in the resource pack have been designed and drawn by Sorcha McCole, Rural Arts’ Visual Arts Coordinator. The pack itself was designed by fellow Thirsk business, MyLittleGraphicsCo.

Rural Arts activities during the coronavirus pandemic have been made possible by support from the Charities Aid Foundation coronavirus emergency fund with extra support from Hambleton District Council.

The pack includes seven hand drawn activities which will help keep children going through the week with a colouring competition to share creations. Rural Arts are offering a voucher to spend at Rural Arts for the winners once they re-open.

The charity was started in Thirsk 30 years ago to extend arts across a wide rural area covering large parts of North Yorkshire.

Mr May said: "Our aim is to be deliver inspiring and inclusive creative opportunities that enrich lives and connect communities. In a normal year we provide over 400 events and activities at our community arts centre in Thirsk, which is also home to an award-winning café, a gallery shop and rooms to hire.

"We also get out into the community with 70 performances per year in rural venues and lead a range of wellbeing and employment programmes to support vulnerable people."

To contact the group and download the activity pack go to www.ruralarts.org