CHRISTIANS in the Dales will celebrate music in the church as part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme.

Churches will be opened up for displays and musical performances during the Make a Joyful Noise event.

The Two Dales Christian Heritage Project, which covers Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, has arranged the four-day festival.

The theme is inspired in part by the 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley, who wrote thousands of hymns, including Love Divine and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and the 150th anniversary of composer Edward Elgar.

Churches will be open all four days from Thursday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm. They include St Andrew's, at Grinton; Reeth Methodist, which has family history internet access on Friday; St Mary's, in Arkengarthdale; Holy Trinity, at Low Row, where there are flowers and music on Saturday; Gunnerside Methodist, with an evening of Sankey music, led by Gunnerside choir, on Saturday at 7.30pm; St Mary's, at Muker; and the United Reformed Church, at Keld.

Arkengarthdale Methodist Church and Low Row United Reformed Church have details of their events on their notice boards.

Refreshments will be available at some venues.