THE search is on for the missing wells of Northallerton.

The town's Churches Together group is running a festival this summer when the theme will be water as the source of life.

As part of the festival, organisers want to find as many of the town's wells as possible.

Northallerton is reputed to have once had about 200, but only two are now known about - one in Lewis and Cooper's store, in High Street, and the other at the Golden Lion Hotel.

The festival will start on July 1 and run for a week, and will include a display outside the town hall put together by local schoolchildren.

The Reverend Howard Smith, of All Saints' Church, said the project had three aspects.

"The first is the outdoor art, the second is historical research as to where wells are located - that's more long term - and the third is to raise funds for a well in a part of the world where a constant and clean supply of water is a rarity."

Anyone who knows the sites of old wells can contact Mr Smith on (01609) 773338.