THE agency behind food protection in the UK is inviting people in York to see what goes on behind the scenes as it celebrates the centenary of its original formation.

The 'big white building' near Sand Hutton is seen by thousands of people travelling along the A64 every day, but few get the chance to go inside and hear about how the work undertaken by the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) affects their daily lives.

Now, for the first time ever, 300 residents are being invited to look behind the high security fence and get an insight into Fera's work.

Opening its doors for two evenings this month, Fera will be introducing its scientists, who are responsible for ensuring that the UK's food is safe.

The open evenings form part of a series of events to mark the centenary of the formation of the bodies that went on to become the Food and Environment Research Agency.

Coordinator of Agri-Food Research, Paul Brereton, is currently leading Fera's involvement in one of Europe’s largest food integrity projects, and is one of the scientists who will be on hand at the open evenings to talk about his work.

He said: “These evenings are exciting opportunities for visitors to get a rare insight into how the work we do touches their lives on a daily basis.

"The food integrity project was set up following last year’s horsemeat scandal and is focused on putting structures in place to prevent organised crime from operating in our food industry."

Fera is an executive agency of the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Its remit is to support and develop a sustainable and secure food chain, a healthy natural environment, and to protect the global community from biological and chemical risks.

There are 150 free places at each open evening, available by ticket, to people, aged over 18, from York and the surrounding areas.

The visits run from 6pm until 8pm on September 23 and October 14 , and places can be booked online at www.bit.ly/feranights.