DRUMMERS, actual and aspiring, are being asked to take their sticks in hand and be part of a record-breaking exercise at a youth festival in Tadcaster this summer.

Organisers of the Youth Arts Festival are hoping that 3,000 people will take part in a drumming session that will form the centrepiece of this year's event.

This day-long celebration of young talent is being co-ordinated by the continuing education unit of North Yorkshire County Council through its Connecting Youth Culture (CYC) project.

"We need anything you can hit for what will be the largest drum workshop certainly this county has ever seen," said festival team member Alex Cromarty.

He said that both genuine and makeshift percussion instruments, such as dustbins, would be welcome.

Professional drummer Mike Dolbear, who runs a drummers' website and has played with pop star Robbie Williams, has been recruited to help with the session.

Youth Arts Festival 2003 takes place at Tadcaster Grammar School, on July 5, from 10.30am until 11pm.

Last year, it attracted more than 1,300 people and organisers say the line-up promises to be even better this time.

Highlights include the final of a county-wide DJ competition, a fireworks extravaganza and an array of arts workshops.

Updated: 10:22 Tuesday, May 20, 2003