CHURCHES across the region will be opening as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme.

The event, organised by the Civic Trust, takes place from September 7 to 10 and offers a chance to explore England's hidden heritage.

More than 2,500 properties across the country will be open for free, including those owned by the Churches Conservation Trust.

The trust was set up in 1969 to preserve churches of architectural, historic or archaeological importance no longer needed for regular worship.

It will open 190 properties during the four days, including several in the North-East.

Chairman Frank Field said: "This is a wonderful chance to see some of the treasures in our care, which we carefully repair and preserve for the nation when they are no longer needed for regular parish use."

Visitors to Sunderland will be able to see 18th century Holy Trinity Church, one of the oldest buildings in the city, which has a baroque interior.

In North Yorkshire, the churches that will be open include St Stephen Old Church, at Fylingdales, which has a close association with ships and seafarers, and St Mary's Church, in Birdforth, near Thirsk, unaltered since Tudor times.

Others include All Saints Old Church, in Skelton-in-Cleveland, with is triple-deck pulpit, and St Mary's Church, in South Cowton, near Richmond, which was built during the Wars of the Roses.

The Yorkshire Unitarian Union will also be opening some of its 300-year-old buildings, including the Old Chapel in Whitby.

For further information visit the Civic Trust website, which can be accessed at www.civictrust.org.uk