A CELEBRATION of the countryside that surrounds us is set to take place at Ladycross Nature Reserve’s open day.

The event, from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, September 10, will feature a host of children’s activities, countryside crafts and tours of the Slaley nature reserve and quarry.

This year the open day will raise funds to kick start plans for a solar powered activity room at the reserve.

In the marquee, a range of nature themed children’s activities and crafts will be available.

Young ramblers will enjoy the ‘walk in the countryside’ exhibition where they can identify rabbit droppings, a bird’s nest and the antlers and skull of the region’s native deer.

Visitors can take a look at the traditional countryside crafts such as wood carving and dry stone walling, using Ladycross stone.

As well as a raffle, the Ladycross ‘roll a ball’ game will be in situ, as will an ice-cream seller offering treats from an old fashioned bicycle.

Parking is free and if visitors do need to spend a penny they can visit the reserve’s newly acquired Eco Loo which will be officially opened on the day.