Residents in an historic York village threatened by development have organised a festival to celebrate their community.

Villagers are holding a festival of flowers, arts and crafts, named Heslington Today, at their church on July 5 and 6.

In the run-up to the two-day festival they are also staging a series of special events that highlight aspects of life in the village.

Heslington Today will be held only days before the village design statement, which will influence all future development there, is unveiled for public discussion and feedback.

Many Heslington residents are concerned about new University of York plans to drastically increase the size of the present campus with an extension on green belt land near Badger Hill.

Organiser Penelope Worsley said: "Heslington Today is a celebration of the many facets of life in this community. These include schools, religions, nursing homes, farms, study centres, charities, small business and the creative arts. We also hope to celebrate and recognise the different cultures from the varying ethnic communities that study here."

The first event before the festival will be a family open day on June 14 at Clock Farm, hosted by farmer Cliff Hopwood.

On June 25 BBC Radio York will host its own gardeners' question time, Down To Earth, at Heslington Church from 6.45pm. Tickets cost £2.50.

Ex-Wimbledon umpire Malcolm Huntington will host a tennis match, between the Methodist minister, the Rev Graham Jones, and the Anglican vicar, the Rev Nancy Eckersley, at Rowan House, School Lane, on June 28. Tickets cost £2.

The production of a Village Design Statement is a Countryside Commission initiative which will describe the village's distinctive character. This will include its landscape setting, the shape of the settlement and the nature of the buildings.

Updated: 10:13 Monday, June 16, 2003