FAMILIES are invited to get to grips with new skills together during the first day of York's third annual Learning Festival on Saturday.

Cooking for "lads and dads", DIY for the exasperated, and first aid tips about what to do in an emergency, are all lined up for the family learning day at Burnholme Adult Education Centre.

The centre, based at Burnholme Community College, is one of many organisations in the city which gets involved in the learning festival every year.

Pam O'Brien, centre manager, said the week helped give people an idea of regular Saturday and evening classes that ran through the autumn, winter and spring.

"The festival is also a celebration of learning and there aren't many places where the whole family can learn together. It is difficult for some parents to go on courses, and this is an opportunity to take the children."

The two themes of the festival, to promote follow-up courses and to provide one-off enjoyable events, run throughout the whole week.

There are lots more opportunities to try out something new, including many short computer courses, an introduction to bridge, Tai Chi, creative writing and Arabic dancing, run by training centres, adult education centres and colleges.

Talks of interest include Posh And Becks: Spice Up Their Lives, about our obsession with other people's lives, organised by York St John College, at Borders book shop.

Two more, from the University of York, at King's Manor, include Great Love Duets: The Passion Of Opera, and Lord Burlington And The York Assembly Rooms about the design of the well-known building.

For those contemplating changing their everyday working lives, there are also sessions on how to write a CV, careers advice, and two events giving more information about getting on to degree courses in York.

Other organisations getting involved include the City Screen Cinema, which will hold a Magic Lantern Spectacular on Sunday, and York Archaeological Trust, which is inviting people to visit the St Leonard's Hospital dig, next to the Central Library.

Liz McNeil, festival organiser, said: "We're holding another festival because we want to highlight the learning going on in York and we want to encourage people to try something new and find out more about what happens in the city."

Liz and colleagues will be in Parliament Street, York, this week, with information and pre-festival activities. These include the chance to try the Duke of Edinburgh Climbing Wall, which will be set up in the street on Friday and Saturday. Alternatively people can phone Future Prospects on 0800 834239 or 01904 634748.

Updated: 10:01 Wednesday, June 19, 2002