ASTRONOMERS unveiled the latest piece of equipment in their optical arsenal yesterday - a portable, 12-inch, computerised telescope.

The telescope has been bought with the help of a £5,000 National Lottery grant and is capable of beaming live pictures on to a TV screen.

Star-gazers are now keeping their fingers crossed for clear skies next week, when they will use the equipment at a Stars with Santa event, deep in Dalby Forest, near Pickering.

The president of Scarborough Astronomical Society, John Harper, will take novices on a spin through the constellations on Friday, December 13.

"We'll be using powerful telescopes to show off sparkling clusters and nebulae, where stars are being born as we watch," he said yesterday.

"We will also keep our eyes open for Geminid meteors shooting across the sky, and getting into a Yuletide spirit."

There will also be a grotto, seasonal gifts, a traditional mummers' play, mulled wine and mince pies.

The event will run from 7pm to 10pm.

The cost will be £3 for adults and £2 for concessions.

For details, call (01751) 460378.