MASHAM Arts Festival made an early start at the weekend with a party to raise funds and recruit volunteers.

More than 100 people packed into an 18th Century mill in the town to play roll-a-ball hosted by festival chairman David Eyles, listen to festival buskers and bet on the number of brush strokes it would take Ian Scott Massie, the events organiser and a professional artist, to paint the Masham skyline.

A batch of festival toffee included one bar with a golden ticket to admit the winner to all events free.

The brush strokes competition prize - the completed painting - was won by Andrew Burrell, chairman of Masham Parish Council, for a £1 stake.

Homemade food was provided by the festival committee, which has been working towards this year's festival for 18 months.

The festival will run from October 19 to 27.

Those appearing include children's author Babette Cole, the Peace Artistes street band from Bradford and singer songwriter Tobias Froberg.

There will also be workshops on animation, felt, songwriting and an art exhibition in the parish church featuring 30 of the finest artists in the North.

Festival sponsors include Theakston's and Black Sheep breweries.