TRADERS and organisations in Malton are staging a day of events on Tuesday to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service.

The Leeds-based service is regularly called out to transport people to hospital.

Children at St Mary's Catholic School, in Malton, are in for a treat on the day when the helicopter lands in its playing field.

Meanwhile, in Malton Market Place, the fire and rescue services will have vehicles and equipment on show, while the Queen's Own Yeomanry Yorkshire Squadron will be displaying a scorpion armoured personnel carrier.

Businesses and shops in the town are adopting a fancy dress theme of Royal Ascot to coincide with the first day of Royal Ascot at York.

The area will be closed to traffic from 6pm to midnight for a big musical evening.

Organiser Glenn Eddery said: "As well as raising money for the air ambulance, it is an opportunity for the committee to thank the many volunteers who have helped improve buildings, shops, kerb sides, swimming pool, the river bank and the war memorial as part of the clean-up of our towns for Royal Ascot."