THE organisers of a new book festival have been awarded a £5,000 Arts Council grant.

Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative will hold the event alongside the existing Richmond Walking Festival from September 21 to 30.

The festival, called Books and Boots, Walks and Words, will offer guided walks, book fairs, quizzes, literary lunches, archive film shows and workshops.

The event is one of 29 projects in Yorkshire and the Humber to get a share of £313,000 of Arts Council funding in the latest round of grants.

Andy Carver, executive director of Arts Council England, Yorkshire, said: "Our investment in arts organisations and individual artists is enabling the arts to thrive in Yorkshire.

"These grants for the arts awards will provide access to high-quality arts for everyone."

Other projects to win funding in North Yorkshire include Scarborough-based visual artist Rachel Welford, who has been awarded £5,000 to research and create new artworks in glass.

The Yorkshire Coast Festivals Association, based in Scarborough, has also been awarded £5,000 to provide a two-year programme of business and marketing support for the 70 arts, cultural, music and community festivals it represents.

The project will include training and networking events, a festival website and brochure, and support from a freelance worker.

Whitby-based sculptor Vivien Mousdell won £4,925 to be artist in residence at the Old Church of St Stephen's, Fylingthorpe, during this month and September.

She will create new works inspired by the surroundings.