The following information has been provided by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust:

Over eighty events and activities have been lined up for the new Flowers of the Dales Festival. Running from May to September and with events taking place throughout the Yorkshire Dales, there should be something for everyone.

The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is co-ordinating the Festival, with a wide range of organisations and individuals running the events. Don Gamble, YDMT’s Hay Time Project Manager, said: "Wildflowers and lots of other plants can be found all over - in the flowery Dales meadows, on the wild, heather-clad tops, in cool, shady woodlands and in the grikes of otherworldly limestone pavement. From the common to the not-so-common to the rare, the Festival aims to celebrate them all!"

Most events are suitable for children and are free or low cost. There are plenty of guided walks ranging from easy strolls through beautiful meadows to challenging hikes over stunning heather moorland. There are arts and craft courses and activities to help you capture the beauty of wildflowers or the landscape. If you want to learn how to identify flowers yourself, there are several events and courses on offer. Some events provide an opportunity to find out how the Dales landscape is managed or is being restored, largely through the efforts of farmers. Don added: "I’d like to thank all of the organisations and individuals involved. The Festival aims to help people discover and celebrate the wonderful wildflower habitats of the Dales. It will also help remind people what a great place this is to visit and have a holiday in."

The Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. For further information, please visit the YMDT website.

[N.B. Please mention the Eagle Intermedia Yorkshire Dales website when making your enquiries.]