PREPARATIONS are under way for a kite festival this bank holiday weekend.

The event takes place at Ormesby Hall, near Middlesbrough, and is being hosted by local kite enthusiast Malcolm Goodman.

He said: "We have some very special kites to fly this year including a 40ft high bear, an 88ft long Octupus, a giant gecko and frog, plus kite flying by the North-East Kite Flyers.

"Children have the opportunity to make their own kites while at the hall and then they can try to fly them.

"In the hall there will be a display of some of my large collection of kites from China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and other countries worldwide."

Ian Brockbank, event organiser at Ormesby Hall, said: "Last year, the kite festival was a great success, and this year we can only hope for bigger and better, especially as the largest kite at this year's festival will be a Mega Manta, which at 97ft long and 32ft high should be quite a sight."

The event is scheduled to start at 1pm and, weather permitting, the kite flying should take place throughout the weekend.

Entrance to the festival is £2.20 for adults, £1 for children. It is free to National Trust members.