PREPARATIONS have begun for the York Mystery Plays, which have been performed on waggons in the city since Medieval times.

This year the York Festival Trust, which has worked on the play for the past 20 years, took on a new artistic director, Tom Straszewski, to create a "fresh approach" to the ancient tradition using the 48 surviving scripts. The event, which takes place every four years, welcomed more than 4,000 spectators and 600 volunteers taking part in 2014. The plays are traditionally co-ordinated by the Masters of the York Guilds and Companies. This year 11 stories will be told on pageant wagons that move between stations throughout the city with medieval musical processions in between. Roger Lee, chairman of York Festival Trust, said organisers are looking forward to a "bumper year".

The York Mystery Plays take place on September 9, 12 and 16.

Tickets go on sale later this month at yorkmysteryplays.co.uk.