A FESTIVAL celebrating the geology and landscape of the North Pennines opened with a busy weekend programme.

Twelve events across the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) marked European Geoparks Week.

Families made ceramic tiles for a geology garden at Harehope Quarry, near Frosterley, County Durham, in a workshop called Geology Tiles Through Time.

There were two High Cup Nick walks from Dufton and Cow Green Reservoir, in Upper Teesdale.

Holidaymakers based at Ninebanks Youth Hostel, Northumberland, were taught how to construct geological maps by geologists.

Shane Harris, sustainable tourism officer for the North Pennines, said: "We are thrilled that the 2005 Festival has got off to such a positive start. Many of the pre-book-only events are full but there are still places left on some activities. Also, there are lots of talks, exhibitions and some of the children's events which people don't need to pre-book."

Half-term events planned next week - including those aimed at children - include medieval smelting at Killhope, in Weardale, on Saturday, from 10.30am to 3.30pm, a fossil frieze at Harehope Quarry, Frosterley, from 10am to 2pm on Monday, cave painting at Nenthead Mines on Saturday and Sunday, from 11am to 4pm, smelting at Nenthead on Monday, from 11am to 4pm, an It Rocks puppet show and workshop at Killhope on June 3, a Nent Valley story walk on June 4, spar boxing at Killhope on June 3, and rock and fossil fun at Harehope, on June 4, from 2 to 4pm.

A film - A Century In Stone - is shown at St John's Chapel Town Hall, in Weardale, tonight and there are tours of Broadwood Quarry, Frosterley, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Contact the North Pennines AONB Partnership for a festival programme on (01388) 528801 or visit www.northpennines.org.uk