A trip to the mortuary may not be high on anybody's list of tourist attractions- but that is about to change.

Some of the most unusual sites are about to throw open their doors to the public in a celebration of the region's heritage.

Among the many highlights is the chance to see a gruesome reminder of the harsh realities of Victorian life - the mortuary at the old Ripon Workhouse, complete with the slabs the bodies once laid on.

In the 19th Century, a visit to the grim building was inevitable, but later this month visitors can choose to see inside its walls.

Heritage Open Days were first launched in 1994, and this year about 800,000 people are expected to take part, making it the biggest such event yet.

Co-ordinated by the Civic Trust with the support of English Heritage, 2,500 properties all over the country will be taking part in the scheme between Friday, September 12 and Monday September 15, with 400 of them in the North-East and Yorkshire.

Entry will be free and many of the properties, ranging from castles and country houses to factories to theatres and synagogues, will be open for the first time.

There will also be a wide range of hands-on activities, walks and talks on architecture and culture, art collections, special exhibitions and concerts.

Civic Trust chief executive Martin Bacon said it was a chance to see behind the facades of all sorts of buildings and to find our more about local heritage.

"It's a fantastic event, run by a vast network of volunteers, and this year there are more people and properties participating than ever before," he said.

"Hundreds of thousands of people will be out and about on Heritage Open Days weekend.

"It is an excellent way for people who care about their local area to learn something new about their heritage and culture."

The chief executive of English Heritage, Dr Simon Thurley, added: "This event allows everyone, wherever they live and whatever their background, to feel a part of the history of their area."

To find out more about participating properties and activities in your area, visit www.heritageopendays.org or call 08700 100 150.