THEY say nothing in life is free.

But, for this weekend only, thousands of York residents can enjoy dozens of the city's museums, tours and attractions - without paying a penny.

All they will need is a valid YORKcard.

It will be the biggest and best Residents First weekend, with more than 50 of the city's museums, tours and attractions opening their doors free of charge.

New additions to this year's programme include the opportunity to visit the city's Cold War Bunker, the chance to tour York's historic archives, and an offer to take part in a "live" archaeological dig in St Saviourgate.

Meanwhile, artists are being offered the chance to create their own masterpiece at York Art Gallery.

As part of Residents First weekend, the attraction is inviting folk along to show off their artistic flair under the guidance of professional artists.

The inspiration will be the new exhibition at York Art Gallery called Relationships: Contemporary Sculpture, which opens this weekend.

The artists will encourage people to try out new techniques, while finding out more about sculpture.

Griselda Goldsbrough, assistant curator of art and learning, said: "This is a great chance for people of all ages to learn from professional artists and have some fun."

Works by Damien Hirst, Rebecca Warren and Rachel Whiteread are all included in a new exhibition at the gallery, which opens tomorrow.

The Residents First weekend will also see the York Museums Trust's other attractions, the Yorkshire Museum and Castle Museum, open to the public. All will be free to YORKcard holders.

Debbie Lovatt, the council's tourism development officer, praised the generosity of event sponsors, First and estate agents Smiles All Round, which will be holding a free prize draw at its offices, in Walmgate, over the weekend, giving customers the chance to win a holiday to Spain.

First will also be showing off its new "air coach" in Parliament Street over the weekend. The service will soon be taking passengers to Leeds Bradford Airport at regular intervals.

"This will be a fantastic weekend - it's always hugely popular," Ms Lovatt said. "It's a way of thanking York residents for supporting tourism in the city and making visitors feel so welcome during the year. Our sponsors have been fantastic."

York's Best Western Monkbar Hotel is serving up a real taste of York as part of the weekend.

Head chef Dave Asbury said: "We always to try to buy locally whenever we can. An ever-increasing number of hotels in the city are now doing this, as it helps support local businesses.

"With this in mind, the dishes on the lunch and dinner menus we have created for the York Residents First weekend are sourced locally, obviously prepared locally and, of course, served to locals."