THE future of Yorkshire in Europe will come under scrutiny at a one-day event in York next week.

The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) has organised a line-up of leading experts to discuss the region's role over the next few years.

Among the speakers will be York resident Robin Guthrie, a former director of social and economic affairs at the Council of Europe.

In his contribution, he will set Yorkshire in its wider European social context, as part of an examination of how the region can meet the challenges of a future linked more closely with the countries across the North Sea.

Other speakers include Professor Peter Roberts, from Dundee University, on Changes, Challenges and Common Causes; Professor Harvey Armstrong, from Sheffield University, on Structural Funds - post 2006, and Professor Janie Percy-Smith, from Leeds Metropolitan University, on social exclusion.

At the end of the day's sessions, the chairman of the Yorkshire region of the Society, Professor Richard Lawton, will lead a discussion.

The conference, at the Tempest Anderson Hall, York, on Wednesday, runs from 10.30am to 6pm, and has been sponsored by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. It will be of particular interest to both those studying the geography and social policy of the Yorkshire region and those who have to make decisions about its future.

Tickets cost £10 (£5 for RGS and Yorkshire Philosophical Society members and £2 students), and £5 for lunch, and are available from William Smith, 6 Sterne Way, Sutton-on-the-Forest, York YO61 1DG, telephone (01347) 810709.