The stately home near Helmsley was alive with the sound of music at the weekend, when hundreds of people flocked to performances at the Ryedale Festival tent.

Festival tent project manager Bob Riley said they managed a "coup" on Saturday when top violinist Tasmin Little appeared with the Northern Symphonia from Newcastle.

Among the pieces they performed was Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, a rendition which has featured on BBC radio and will soon be shown on BBC television.

The Fishburn Brass Band, from near Newcastle, also added to the music on offer and there was a firework display. The previous day there was a showcase event for ten bands, most of them from Ryedale. Yesterday, the Kirkbymoorside senior and junior brass bands provided the music, and there was also entertainment from the Kirkham Henry School of Performing Arts from Malton.

PICTURE: CHRIS TUKE, singer with Pickering band Finton, appears on stage at Duncombe Park.