The maize maze, thought to be the largest of its kind in the world, will be open late for torchlit visits tomorrow and Saturday from 8pm.

Owner Tom Pearcy, of Heslington, near York, introduced the night opening as an alternative to the established "haunted maze" evenings, which this year return on September 7 and 8.

On those nights maze puzzlers will have to brave scary characters including a chainsaw wielding spectre, werewolves and the maze monster. The haunted evenings are not recommended for children under 12.

"However, I've also had a lot of requests from families who want to experience the maze at night without the scare factor," Mr Pearcy said.

"So new for this year we will also be opening for two torchlight maze nights. Whether you come on the torchlight nights, the haunted maze nights, or both, you are guaranteed a fun evening out."

York Maze is open every day during daylight hours from 10am to 7pm until September 9, and then on each weekend in September.

This summer will be the last for the maze in its current home at Heslington, next to Grimston Bar park-and-ride, as it is moving to make way for York University's Heslington East campus extension.

York councillors meeting this afternoon are being recommended to approve Mr Pearcy's plans for a new maze at nearby Elvington.