THE Duke of Kent will visit Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, on Tuesday next week as part of the Royal Tourism Day.

The estate is a United Nations-recognised World Heritage Site, and has been in the hands of the National Trust for 20 years. The duke will be given an insight into the history of tourism at the property and its role in the local community. He will also meet volunteers who welcome 300,000 visitors a year, and youngsters taking part in an education project.

HOUSING OPPOSED: More than 200 people have signed petitions opposing plans to build 15 homes on a green field site at Whitby. Jennifer Kent, who is protesting against the scheme for Boghall, said "We have been told the land was left to the people of Whitby by the Turnbull family with the condition that it was not built on." A previous plan put forward by the developer for 22 homes was turned down earlier this year. Scarborough Borough Council will make a decision on the plan within the next month.

ROARING BACK: The Red Lion pub, in the village of Cloughton, near Scarborough, has reopened after seven months. England and Yorkshire cricket star Craig White gave it an official send-off. It is being run by Douane White, 41, and his wife, Julie. "Craig was the obvious choice to open the pub because he's a regular visitor to Cloughton, and we both have the same surname," said Douane.

SPORTS SCHEME: A scheme has been unveiled to build a £7m sports club complex at Clifton Moor, York. The proposed 11-acre complex would include all-weather five-a-side football pitches and two full-sized pitches as well as a swimming pool, gym, four tennis courts, squash courts and a cricket square.

HOMES PLAN: Plans to build four homes close to St Mary's Church in Goathland, near Whitby, have been put on hold while National Park officials inspect the site. Residents have expressed fears about the size and scale of the development.

MILK SPILL: A spillage of goats' milk is thought to have contributed to a three-car collision that closed part of the A64, near York, for two-and-a-half-hours. No one was hurt.

MAYOR REMEMBERED: Hundreds of people packed into York Minster for a memorial service celebrating the life of Jack Birch, a former Lord Mayor of the city, who died last month at the age of 82.

GUIDED WALKS: The Yorkshire Dales National Park is to hold a series of guided walks throughout June. Further details are available from the National Park Centres, or from the website www.destinationdales.org.

ROAD CLOSURE: The intersection of Cemetery Road with Fulford Road, in York, is to be closed to traffic from Saturday until Sunday, June 29, to allow a gas main to be replaced. An alternative route will be signposted.