FESTIVE activity days will be launched in a Selby village this weekend.

Free Christmas Wonderland events will take place at the Drax Skylark Centre in Barlow, between 11am and 4pm on Sundays December 3 and 10, including an elves workshop inspired by festive folklore from around the world.

Andy Koss is CEO of Drax Power, who set up the events, and said the wonderland events would be great for the community.

He said: "Drax’s Christmas event established part of Selby and Goole’s festive calendar for many years. This season the Drax Visitor Centre team has worked really hard researching and organising a very different experience that combines some of our own traditions with those inspired by countries as far afield as Austria, Ukraine and the Philippines.

"We’ve created a wider celebration of Christmas and we are sure visitors of all ages will really enjoy this insight into how the festive season is celebrated around the world."

Visitors will be transported from the main gate to the Skylark Centre by ‘sleigh ride shuttle’ - one of Drax’s new electric tour buses - and the centre will be transformed into a magical walk-through Elves’ Workshop, hosting activities and crafts including lantern-making and face-painting.

Outside, among the trees, children can try to wake Krampus – a sinister creature from Austrian folklore notorious for capturing children who have been too naughty to receive presents and whisking them away in a sack.

Other highlights include a striking woodland depiction of an old Ukrainian legend where a poor woman’s Christmas tree is beautifully decorated by a spider’s web, roasting marshmallows over a fire-pit and two Christmas quiz trails through woodland at the nature reserve, and a pushchair friendly route along a hard track.

The events are free, but donations to charity are welcome.

Booking is not necessary, and last entry is at 3.30pm.