MORE than 3,000 young people enjoyed a taste of arts and music at a two-day festival designed to showcase and nurture local talent.

The annual Youth Arts Festival, organised by Connecting Youth Culture team from North Yorkshire County Council Education Services, took place at St John Fisher RC High School, in Harrogate.

About 1,000 primary school children took part in activities on Friday, while on Saturday young people from Harrogate, Scarborough, Whitby, Hawes, Northallerton and Stokesley joined in the fun.

Among the attractions was a mobile skatepark, bought by North Yorkshire County Council and used for the first time at the festival.

An array of ramps and jumps were set up across the school playground for skateboarders, BMX riders and rollerbladers.

Jim Clark, the county council's executive member for education, said: "We are a rural county, so something like this that can be put in a trailer and taken to different areas is ideal. It's great to see that it's a popular attraction for the young people."

A host of activities arranged in marquees were spread across the school grounds, ranging from learning to play a didgeridoo, drumming and arts and crafts, to controlled graffiti, face painting and poppet puppets.

Councillor Clark said: "It's been wonderful to see so many young people come along and take part in the magnificent range of performing and creative arts activities provided for them in a safe and secure environment."