FULL details have emerged of a major arts festival being held to celebrate the re-opening of a new-look community centre.

The centre on Bullamoor Road in Northallerton - which is soon to be renamed the Hambleton Forum - has undergone a major facelift at a cost of about £400,000.

New raked seating has been installed, a new roof and floor have been fitted and two meeting rooms have been created in the 27-year-old centre.

And to mark the opening, a week-long 'Zest Fest' will see the town play host to a wide range of local and professional talent.

Hambleton's leisure spokesman Susan Latter said: "This refurbishment positions the centre as a major venue in the region."

"It makes it more attractive both for performers and audiences and the Zest Fest is going to be an exciting way to mark its re-opening.

"We have a huge variety of entertainment on offer - something we intend to reflect in the future programme of events."

The festival will start on Monday, September 23, with dance, theatre and music companies performing a range of shows.

There will also be a series of arts workshops for all the family.

Events will include performances by the local dance troupe Planet Dance and the Beatles tribute band Beetles UK.

John Otway and the Big Band with a variety of supporting acts will be staging an evening of poetry, comedy and music and there will also be a theatrical extravaganza, Our Town Entertains, featuring local actors, singers and dancers.

For those who want to try their luck as a DJ or a circus act there will be specialist workshops - and budding artists will even be given the chance to decorate a litter bin, courtesy of Rural Arts North Yorkshire.

A full programme for the festival has now been published and is available from the centre or through council offices.

Alternatively details can be obtained by contacting (01609) 777070 or 776230 or via the web site on www.hambleton.gov.uk