Richmond residents are being offered a glimpse behind the scenes of the town's Freemasons lodge this weekend.

Lennox Lodge holds its first open day today and tomorrow, with public tours of the historic building from 9.30am.

Masons will also be available to answer any questions on what goes on at meetings of the traditionally private society in an effort to dispel some of the myths.

The Richmond lodge is among the oldest of more than 8,000 in England, with records which go back as far as 1763.

Although invited guests have visited in the past, this is the first time the Richmond organisation has arranged to throw its doors open to the general public.