CAN you imagine being present amidst the booming canons and gun-fire of the American civil war?

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Scarborough Castle in connection with English Heritage is offering you the opportunity to gain a taste of what the battlefield was like when the North took on the South back in the 19th century.

Union and Confederate infantry and artillery come face to face in a spectacular re-creation by the American Civil War Society, featuring canon, muskets and hand-to-hand fighting.

On Sunday, August 26, and Monday, August 27, around 200 soldiers, complete with the blue uniforms of the North and grey and brown of the South, will clash in an exciting and noisy battle (at 3pm), with the highlight being the spectacular roar of the canon.

Before this, there is the chance to gain a deeper insight into what life was like by wandering through a series of tented streets.

Here, you will see a number of scenes depicting everyday life from a civil war camp - a padre giving a Sunday service, doctors performing amputations on the wounded, troops preparing for battle. All this takes place while a drum corps plays 'Yankee Doodle' music. Before the grand finale, the troops will perform infantry and artillery drill displays each day at 1pm.

Area manager for the coast group of English Heritage, Jeremy Reed, said that Scarborough Castle was an appropriate venue for an American civil war battle. He said: "We have found out that there were two residents of Scarborough who emigrated to America and ended up fighting in the Civil War - one on each side."

He did stress that the cannon do make a loud noise, so visitors that do not like especially loud noises may wish to avoid watching the final battle. However, Mr Reed said there were plenty of other attractions beforehand to enjoy.

The event begins at noon on both days. Admission is £4.60 for adults, £3.70 for concessions and £2.40 for children (free for under-5s). Entrance is free for English Heritage members. For further details phone Scarborough Castle on (01723) 372451.

- Visitors to Whitby Abbey have the chance to make their mark with a hammer and chisel to create a permanent sculpture. From Friday, August 24 for a week, sculptor Darren Yeadon is creating a life-sized figure using sandstone, and with his expert guidance, visitors can help him sculpt the figurative piece into an unusual landmark. Phone (01947) 603568 for details.

- A demonstration of archery through the ages is being given by costumed performers from Whitby Company of Archers at Richmond Castle on Sunday, August 26 and Monday, August 27 (at noon). Bows and arrows will be on display. Visitors will be given the opportunity to have a go.

Phone (01748) 822493 for details or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

Updated: 12:02 Thursday, August 16, 2001