INGLETON'S action-packed Overground Underground Festival, now celebrating its sixth year, is under way.

But instead of taking place over a single weekend as it has in the past, events will run right through to September, with something for everyone.

"We have some fabulous events lined up this year and activities to appeal to all ages and a wide variety of interests," said event organiser Debby Kuhlmann. “As well as favourite activities from previous years, we have lots of new events that are unique to the Overground Underground Festival.

"We are hoping that everyone comes along and enjoys the friendly hospitality of the Yorkshire Dales.”

The programme includes everything from local history talks and walks to caving trips; from arts and crafts courses to natural history and conservation activities; from films and exhibitions to fun activities for children and much, much more.

Festival co-ordinator Fiona Hagart added: “I am really excited about this year’s festival. We have a really varied programme and some fabulous new events. It should be a brilliant summer and a lot of fun.”

The festival was established in 2011 by a small group of volunteers, who were passionate about the local landscape around Ingleborough and wanted to promote it to a wider audience.

It has grown organically with local communities and individuals working together to put on a diverse range of events.

This year's festival has been part-funded through Stories in Stone, an ambitious four-year programme of conservation and community projects concentrated on the Ingleborough area.

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the programme has been developed by the Ingleborough Dales Landscape Partnership.

Its aims are to "connect and coordinate the plans and actions of a range of public, private and community bodies to conserve, enhance and celebrate the unique historical and natural elements of the Ingleborough Dales landscape" and "to inspire a wider range of people to discover, enjoy and contribute to that landscape in a way that ensures a healthy future for this very special place".

And, to that end, festival events include introductory caving trips which will allow participants to explore the underground beauty of Ingleborough and learn about how the caves were formed.

"Stream ways, waterfalls, small climbs, walking, stooping and crawling are all part of the fun," said a festival spokesman. "Squeezes are optional!"

Trips will take place on Mondays, May 30, July 18 and 25, and August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.

The festival will also include Ingleton's first Cycle Sportive on Sunday, June 12.

Its aim is to encourage cyclists of all abilities to get on their bikes and ride through some of the most scenic countryside Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria have to offer. There are two routes to choose from - 65 or 40-mile - with mechanical support and free food available along the way.

“It should be a wonderful day out cycling in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales," said Paul Aengenheister, shop manager at Escape Bikes, Ingleton, which has helped to plan the event.

Another new addition to the festival is an art trail and open studios event, which will run over the weekend of July 23 and 24.

"We are excited to have some very talented local artists including Kevin Brown and Frank Gordon opening their studios," said Fiona. "The Stonegate Gallery in Ingleton will be welcoming visitors to view their stained glass, contemporary designer crafts, fine art and jewellery; Ingleton Pottery are inviting people to have a go a throwing a pot and there will be an exhibition of some stunning photography, art and crafts at St Mary’s Church."

The Cave Rescue Organisation will hold an open day at its Clapham base on Saturday, July 23, which will include a "Tyrolean Traverse" of the local beck using ropes and pulleys, and a Search and Rescue Dog demonstration on Storrs Common.

There is also a sunrise run to Ingleborough Summit on June 12, the chance to be blacksmith for the day, with Adrian Wood, at Broadrake, Chapel-le-Dale, on August 21 and September 11, the fourth Indoor Bouldering Competition at the Inglesport Climbing Wall on July 3, various exhibitions at Ingleton Community Centre and several guided walks highlighting the area's geology, industrial archaeology and natural delights.

For children, there are triathlon races on June 10, July 15 and August 12, family workshops at Quarry Arts' icentre base on July 26, August 16, August 23, and August 30, and a Meadow Sprites puppet walkabout on Storrs Common on August 28.

For more information, visit ogug.co.uk