A NEW festival to promote walking and cycling in York and celebrate the city's heritage will bring the community together this half-term.

Among the free and fun activities on offer during the #walkcyclefestival are a spooky cycle tour of York, a sleepy dawn chorus ride and painting a mural on the Solar System Greenway.

Walks and rides will guide you around buildings from York's past, into York's best green spaces, and into a world of sculpture, performance, and painting with walking and cycling activities run by talented local artists.

This will include a one-off performed walk with monks from Holy Trinity Church, in Micklegate, along the walls, to a specially mown labyrinth in the Museum Gardens.

Running from tomorrow to June 4, the festival is hosted by York Bike Belles and community partners including York Civic Trust, Sustrans, York Greenways, York Explore, St Nicks and the Red Tower.

Sheridan Piggott, chair of community organisation York Bike Belles, said: "We are now working with over 40 community partners and volunteers in no fewer than 18 themed walks and rides over the festival week.

"It's been amazing to see the community come together around a shared love of walking and cycling around York and its heritage. We hope the festival will inspire more people to enjoy walking and cycling around our beautiful city."

The festival launches with a community party in Rowntree Park tomorrow, from 11am to 4pm.

Visitors can try a wacky bike with Get Cycling, have their bike fixed, enjoy music from the Arts Barge Project or make their own bunting. York-based charity Independent Domestic Abuse Service is holding its annual cycling challenge from the park on Sunday morning.

You can sign up for the sponsored cycle event on the day for £10. Routes include a 25-mile ride to Beningbrough Hall and a 50-mile ride to Castle Howard.

For more information about the festival, visit: www.yorkbikebelles.community/walk-cycle-festival.