A WOMAN who bangs the drum about recycling is one of the star attractions at a forest festival this weekend.

Clare Eyeington will be coaxing youngsters into a percussion frenzy, using scrapyard instruments such as dustbins, old tumble dryers, pots, pans and any other old iron at the Guisborough Forest Festival on Sunday.

Ms Eyeington set up her roving one-woman band two years ago, taking her eco-message into school classrooms and to festivals across the area.

She said: "I used to work for the Wildlife Trust and have been drumming for 13 years. I love working outdoors, working with children and drumming, so I decided to set up my own business combining all three."

Ms Eyeington is not the only eccentric music maker lined up for the festival, which is staged by the Friends of Guisborough Forest and Walkway, the Forestry Commission and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Gigantic 12ft ants will be scurrying through the 1,000-acre beauty spot, at Pinchinthorpe, banging out their own samba rhythm on giant drums as they go.

Other attractions include a revival of the 16th Century Japanese skill of Raku pottery, as well as ancient skills such as bodging, horse logging, stone carving, bushcraft and willow weaving.

The event runs from 10am to 5pm. Entry is £2 adults, £1 concessions and £5 family ticket (two adults and three children).

A free park and ride bus service will operate from the coach park in Rectory Lane, Guisborough.