THREE days of Big Top entertainment at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, will bring this summer's Ryedale Festival to a close.

From Friday, July 28, to Sunday, July 30, the Big Tent 2000 will ring to the sounds and sights of a huge variety of music and performance.

Malcolm Layfield, festival director, said: "We really have got something for everyone over these few days. It all kicks off at 2pm on Friday with the Funk 'n' Jam, a full day of bands and DJs.

"Elephant Talk and Manchester band Homelife are topping the bill, but we're also delighted to be giving space to young local bands Finton, Impulse, D Coy and Creaser who will be starting the day off and are really keen to perform at such a big event."

Other, more established bands, will also be playing, including Qwoff and Uncle Dirty.

The highlight of the weekend is Saturday's Fireworks Summer Concert, featuring virtuoso violinist Tasmin Little with the renowned Northern Sinfonia.

Mr Layfield said: "We have a wonderful programme including, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Saint-Saens, but perhaps the most serenely beautiful piece is Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending, which Tamsin played so superbly at The Last Night of the Proms."

Sunday is family day in and around the Big Top, which will host an array of circus, music, comedy and theatre events.

From 11am onwards, stand-up comedian Rory Motion will compere the day, which features Kirkbymoorside Brass and Junior Bands, 18-piece street band The Peace Artistes and Grip Circus Theatre.

More than 100 children and young people from Kirkham Henry Performing Arts and the 1812 Youth Theatre will also take part in the event.

Tickets are available from the Ryedale Festival Box Office on 01439 771518.