PREPARATIONS for the Malton Agricultural Show are well under way. The show takes place on June 27, at Scampston Park, Rillington, near Malton.

Show secretary Jenny Bird said she was looking forward to a successful show, despite the lack of a traditional element of the event. "We won't be having livestock because of the foot-and-mouth regulations," she said. "But there will be lots of other animals there for children and adults to enjoy. We are going to have horse and pony jumping events and there will be a terrier race and a dog agility contest." For the children, there will be a Punch and Judy Show, a play area and crche for toddlers.

GHOST WALK: Tales of ghosts, ghouls and things that go bump in the night will be recounted during a guided tour of Ripon. The walk leaves the Cabman's Shelter, at 7.30pm, tomorrow. Tickets are on sale from the Ripon Tourist Information Centre, priced at £1.50. Accompanied children are welcome, although parents are warned some of the stories may be upsetting for younger ones.

VIEWS SOUGHT: Hambleton residents are to be asked for their views on future planning developments in the district. District councillors want to identify the key planning issues likely to affect the area over the next 15 years. As part of an on-going review of the district-wide local plan, town and parish councils, together with various community groups, are being consulted. The first draft of the plan will be published in spring next year.

CHIPPING IN: A schoolgirl horseriding enthusiast has raised £400 towards the cost of a school extension with a sponsored trek. Nikki Brown, six, and mother Brigid set off on the 57-mile round trip across the moors to raise cash to build the extension to the school at Danby, near Whitby. The pair took five days to complete the trip, with Nikki riding her pony, Shankly. The school needs to raise £26,000 towards the cost of the £96,000 project plan to build a mezzanine floor to accommodate eight computers.