ONE of North Yorkshire's stately homes is throwing open its gates in aid of charity this weekend.

The gardens of Newby Hall, near Ripon, will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Proceeds will be split between Macmillan Nurses and the village church at Skelton-on-Ure.

Also open will be the woodland discovery walk, children's adventure garden shop and garden restaurant. The Northern Fruit Group will display local varieties of apple, some from Newby's own orchards, in the Grantham Room. Administrator Stuart Gill said: "The gardens are full of wonderful autumn colour at this time of year, something that visitors normally don't see."

Admission is £4 for adults and £3 for OAPs and children.