Californians jet over for holiday

But a family from America’s glamorous sun-kissed coast have chosen a summer holiday destination far away from its famous beaches of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Richard Selby and his children, 21-year-old Paige and 20-year-old Colfax, have travelled thousands of miles to Selby to investigate their 600-year-old links with the former mining town.

And despite it proving an unlikely summer holiday destination, they say it has proved the trip of a lifetime.

“My understanding is that the family came from England and emigrated to the US somewhere between 1500 and 1760,” Mr Selby said.

“So it would be logical to assume that Selby played some part.

“The whole area was lovely and it is a very pretty part of the country.”

The Selbys spent their time in North Yorkshire pouring through historical archives as well as exploring the town and its surrounding countryside.

During their stay, the family also visited Selby Abbey and the Selby College library.