STAFF and volunteers at a North museum are busy preparing for the new season.

Ryedale Folk Museum, in Hutton-le-Hole, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, has opened in January for the first time this year.

Museum director, Mike Benson said: "We're an outdoor museum and opening early will allow visitors to catch all the changing seasons.

"We've just spent half-a- million pounds on a new workshop, school resource centre and art gallery.

"We increased our figures last year and we hope to build on that this year - I'm really enthusiastic about the new season."

Thatcher Jonathan Botterell was busy re-thatching the museum's Crofter's Cottage yesterday.

The task will take the craftsman four weeks to complete.

An exhibition featuring paper pulp figures will open at the museum on Saturday.

A Valentine's love-in weekend will be held on February 11 and 12.

Activities will include Indian head and hand massages and medieval love chanting.

The museum is open everyday from 10am until dusk in the winter and from 10am to 5.30pm through the rest of the year.

A £25 season ticket has been launched, which allows a family of four to visit as many times as they want.

Published: 24/01/2006