VOLUNTEERS are putting the pieces in place for a festival with a difference.

Ryedale's first-ever jigsaw festival will be held next month in Amotherby and a large collection of puzzles are being put together for the event.

There will be a display of up to 200 made-up jigsaws of various makes, types and sizes all and as soon as one puzzle is sold another will be put on display.

Members of the public will also have the opportunity to buy any of the jigsaws on display and there will be a competition to find the golden jigsaw piece.

The original idea for the festival came from Collen Allwood, from St Helen’s Church, Amotherby, who heard about a similar festival that takes place at St Martin’s Church in Brighouse.

Colleen said: “St Martin’s has been running its festival very successfully for four years now and it raises a lot of money for charity.

"I thought was that it would be a great joint project with Ryedale Carers Support, to help raise funds for both the charity and St Helen’s church.”

Claire Hall, manager at Ryedale Carers Support, said she was keen to be involved with the festival from the start and has involved both the carers they support and their volunteers with the festival.

“Everyone at Ryedale Carers Support has embraced the festival and we have been donated a large number of jigsaws to make," she said.

“Thankfully we have a fantastic team of carers and volunteers who have been spending their free time putting them together for us, so that we can have a great display for people to enjoy.”

St Helen’s Church in Amotherby will host the festival on Saturday, March 19, at the village hall, from 10am to 4pm.

Entry to the festival will be £2, which includes a £1 discount voucher towards the purchase of a puzzle.

A selection of homemade refreshments will also be served throughout the day and there will be a tombola with all proceeds being divided between Ryedale Carers Support and St Helen’s Church.

For more information on the festival, or if you would like to donate a jigsaw, email Colleen Allwood at callwood110@btinternet.com or phone Ryedale Carers Support on 01751 432288.