MARSDEN is well known for its fire festival and spring cuckoo celebrations ... but now there's a new event in town.

This weekend, dozens of people are expected to take part in the procession to mark Lammas - a Christian festival of the first fruits with pre-Christian origins.

Music, costumes and drama will be included in the celebration.

A short procession will leave the Old Goods Yard in Station Road, at 2pm on Sunday.

It will end with a picnic and more entertainment, including a band called Crinkly Socks at Tunnel End.

Angela Boycott, who is organising the event, said: "It will be the first celebration of the moorlands since the paths to the picnic site have been done.

"We hope it will encourage people to use the area and give them the chance to enjoy their local environment."

A series of workshops has been held for children, to give them a chance to make horse and butterfly costumes for the parade.

They have also been taking part in music workshops with guitarist Emily Druce.

A junk instrument workshop is being held tomorrow for people who want to take part in the parade.

The workshop will take place at Tunnel End Visitor Centre from noon until 3pm.

The festival is being supported by the National Trust, Kirklees Council's Countryside Unit and British Waterways.

For more information, call Ms Boycott on 01484 842619.