AN annual celebration of wildflowers and nature in the Yorkshire Dales has got underway, as the Flowers of the Dales Festival returns for its ninth year.

It brings together more than 120 events led by experts and enthusiasts in and around the Yorkshire Dales and started yesterday and runs until the end of October.

Coordinated by local charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) and sponsored by Parkfoot Holiday & Park Homes, the festival showcases some of the region’s nationally and internationally important habitats which support many native species of wildflowers, insects, birds and mammals.

Events range from guided walks and bumblebee talks, to family-friendly nature trails and bug hunts, to identification courses, hands-on conservation activities, arts and crafts.

YDMT’s Flowers of the Dales Project Officer, Leah Cardus, said: “We are very lucky to have such a rich and vibrant landscape on our doorstep, home to an array of native species.

"Through the festival we aim to provide opportunities for people of all ages to explore the Yorkshire Dales and discover this for themselves.

"More than 33,000 people have taken part since the first festival in 2009 and I hope many more will be inspired to get involved this year.”

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “Our players have raised £1,226,332 for Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to date, enabling the team to deliver many varied projects, including the annual Flowers of the Dales Festival.

The free Flowers of the Dales Festival programme can be downloaded from www.ydmt.org/festival2017. Or to receive a printed copy of the programme send an A5 stamped and self-addressed envelope to: Flowers of the Dales, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Main Street, Clapham, Via Lancaster, LA2 8DP.

Copies will also be available from national park centres and other outlets across the dales over the coming weeks and months.

The trust would like to pay special tribute to Mrs D Jones, Ms A Green, Mr R Jenkinson, Mr P V Mitford and Miss M Gorman whose generous legacy gifts have supported the 2017 Festival, together with generous support from the Linden Charitable Trust and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.