Youngsters will be making a song and dance about the creative arts when they take part in the third Early Years Festival on Tuesday (July 15).

Sixteen groups of York's youngest pupils are having time away from regular school lessons to attend the festival at York St John College.

During the day, each group will perform a ten minute piece of music, drama, or dance based on the theme of holidays and travel. This will be followed by songs and visual, dramatic and musical art workshops led by specialist tutors.

Organised by City of York Council's Arts Service, the festival offers activities dedicated to children aged between 4 and 7 years, and celebrates the importance of arts in the development of children.

Jane Woolgar, the arts service early years consultant, City of York Council, said: "Since it began, the festival has continued to grow in size. This year there are 450 children taking part in an event which demonstrates the wealth and creativity of the youngest of York's school children and also shows how the arts can enrich a child's time in the classroom."