IDEAS on how to make “York and the world a better place” will be invited from the public at the latest event announced as part of the Residents Festival.

The newest addition to the annual event is called Towards A Sustainable York 2013, and will feature local groups and organisations and is being billed as a “cross between a green festival and a conference”.

Event organiser John Cossham said: “Networking is really important for people who are working to improve their environment. This event will give local people a chance to see what else is going on in York and meet others who share their vision of a more sustainable York.”

Ivana Jakubkova, of Friends of St Nicholas Fields, said: “We have a lot of exciting plans for this year which I look forward to sharing at this event.

“I hope to meet a lot of people who might be interested in using our green services or in our diverse programme of community events, training courses and volunteering opportunities.”

The event is at Priory Street Community Centre on Saturday, January 26, from 10am to 3pm.

Meanwhile, York Theatre Royal is opening up its backstage areas to give residents a rare glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes.

The theatre said people would be able to delve backstage and explore parts of the theatre which aren’t usually open to the public.

In each 30-minute tour participants will be given an insight into the workings of the theatre and learn about its 800 year history, with stories from its past including the resident ghost.

Participants will also be able to stand on the Main House stage and have an exclusive look of the set and costumes for this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood And His Merry Mam, which runs until February 3.

Tours will be held every half hour, between noon and 4pm, on Sunday, January 27. For details, phone 01904 623 568.

York Residents Festival, organised by Visit York, is being held on the weekend of January 26 and 27 as a thank-you to York residents for the warm welcome they give to the city’s seven million annual visitors.

It offers residents free and discounted entry to a number of the city’s attractions and exhibitions as well as enjoying special rates at restaurants and shops.