This weekend is the busiest of the year for churches across North Yorkshire as they mark the biggest feast of the Christian calendar.

Early today at York Minister, there was an Easter Eve service at 7am and matins at 7.30am. Baptisms, organised by St Michael le Belfrey, were due to take place outside the west end of the Minster between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. There will also be Evensong at 5.15pm and an Easter Eve vigil from 8.30pm until midnight. Admission for the vigil is available from 7.30pm.

Holy Communion starts the Easter Day services tomorrow at 8am, followed by a sung Eucharist at 10am, during which the Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu, will preach his Easter sermon. There will be choral matins at 11.45am.

Evensong takes place at 4pm, and will be broadcast by the BBC. Visitors to the Evensong, which also includes a procession to the Easter garden, must be seated no later than 3.45pm.

Easter Monday will see matins at 7.30am, Holy Communion at 7.45am and 12.30pm, and evening prayer at 5.15pm.

Ripon Cathederal will hold an Easter vigil between 7.30pm and 9pm today.

At Selby Abbey tomorrow, there will be a dawn Mass at 6am. There will be no 8am service, and a parish Eucharist will be held at 10am.