EXPERTS from the world of geology arrive in Scarborough next week for the town’s first ever Yorkshire Fossil Festival.

The British Geological Survey, London’s Natural History Museum, The Geological Society and Oxford University Museum are among the organisations taking part in the festival.

All four have a long-standing interest in, and have built upon, the work of William Smith (1769-1839), who is known as the ‘father of modern geology’ and was one of the founders of Scarborough’s Rotunda Museum when he lived in the town in the early 1800s.

The festival, which takes place from Friday 12 to Sunday, September 14, is organised by Scarborough Museums Trust in partnership with the Palaeontological Association, one of the world's leading learned societies in this field.

It will be held in and around the Rotunda Museum, with the area around the Rotunda covered in tents and marquees containing stalls from different groups and associations. All the attractions are free, including entrance to the Rotunda over the three days of the festival.

The programme of events ranges from public talks from leading scientists – including a flagship talk on the Friday evening by Professor Hugh Torrens, a William Smith expert – to fun for young children, including Horace the Pliosaur, a travelling walk-in cinema from educational street theatre specialists Emerald Ant, and juggling and circus skills from the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

Scarborough Museums Trust Chief Executive Debbie Seymour said: “We are really excited that the first ever Fossil Festival in Yorkshire is to be held in Scarborough – there'll be all sorts of exciting things going on around the Rotunda and my children are particularly excited about Horace the Pliosaur.

" We are pleased and honoured that organisations such as the Natural History Museum will be there and hope that everyone has a great time.”

For further information, visit: www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.org.uk