PROUD Yorkshiremen and women will be celebrating the county's rich history tomorrow along with its customs and quirks.

Established in 1975, Yorkshire Day now promotes all things that celebrate the English county's identity and heritage, from flat caps to puddings.

In keeping with tradition, the Yorkshire Ridings Society will be reading the official declaration of the integrity of Yorkshire at the four bars of York on Saturday, starting at Micklegate Bar at 11.40am, followed by Bootham Bar, Monk Bar and Walmgate Bar.

Each year, the time changes by one minute to coincide with the number of years since the first written reference to the Ridings of York in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles of 876. It is read in the four languages used in the area since that time - Latin, Old Norse, Old English, and Modern English.

Elsewhere, master chocolatiers at York Chocolate Story have been creating Yorkshire-themed chocolates, while York Maze, in Elvington, is staging its annual Yorkshire Pudding-tossing competition and Straw Bale race.

The attraction's Tom Pearcy said: “The Straw Bale Race has become a Yorkshire Day tradition at York Maze. The aim of the contest is to roll a giant round bale of straw along a 50m course. We are also staging a Yorkshire pudding tossing competition at 1pm where someone will be crowned Yorkshire Pudding throwing champion.”

Train operator, First TransPennine Express, is decorating stations with white rose bunting while station staff at Selby, Malton, Northallerton, Scarborough and Thirsk will be giving out Yorkshire Day flags and be wearing Yorkshire white rose pin badges.

Mike Drewery, First TransPennine Express' station manager, said: "We're very proud of our role in connecting millions of people each year across the Yorkshire region. This is our own little of way of celebrating Yorkshire Day with people travelling into the region, and recognising Yorkshire's fantastic historical and cultural heritage."

York Art Gallery has chosen the day to welcome visitors for the first time in two-and-a half years following its major transformation.

Selby Food Festival is celebrating the region's food and drink with more than 30 stalls to visit, along with tastings, cookery demonstrations, street entertainment and family fun.

Other events taking place on Yorkshire Day include a Clash of Knights weekend at Scarborough Castle; Dracula story-telling at Whitby Abbey; Morris dancing, a town crier competition and more fun at Sewerby Hall; and the colourful Run or Dye 5km run for York Against Cancer at Castle Howard.