COUNCIL information is to be conveyed to York residents in an alternative way when the first ever ward spring fayre takes place in the city.

Residents in the Heworth and Walmgate wards of the city will have the chance to quiz community leaders as well as join in the fun at the City of York Council event next Saturday, at St Hilda's Church, Tang Hall Lane.

The fayre, which is being staged between 2pm and 4pm, will give residents the opportunity to meet councillors, youth workers, the police and other service providers in the area.

There will be arts and crafts stalls, a tombola, refreshments, egg decorating and face painting and children will be able to climb aboard a fire engine as part of a North Yorkshire Fire Service display.

Charlotte Pell, the council's neighbourhood co-ordinator, said it could encourage people to take part in voting on how the ward committee budgets should be spent over the next year.

She said: "It is also an opportunity for residents to find out what is going on in their local area. We are hoping that the fayre will provide an enjoyable afternoon out for all ages, but will also bring several organisations closer to the people to whom they are accountable."

Groups represented at the fayre will include the police, the fire service, the detached youth work service, Cherrytree House, Tang Hall Children's University, the Young Women's Youth Work Project and Badger Hill After School Club. The Foss Islands cycle track ranger and a community arts worker will also attend.

Walmgate ward councillor Derek Smallwood said it was a different way of reaching people in the community.

He said: "It's a more than a meeting, which some people might find boring, it's to persuade others to come and see what's happening in the community and tell us what they would like to see happening.

"It's also going to be good fun."

The fayre takes place on the same day as a community planning event at Burnholme Community College, Bad Bargain Lane, where local people can find out more about the planned 540-home New Osbaldwick development off Metcalfe Lane.

Updated: 12:45 Saturday, March 09, 2002