Castle weekend celebrates heroes and heroines of Britain's forces

From the Crimean War of 1854 to the soldiers of the 1940s, the Heroes and Heroines event will bring the past to life using some of the region's finest historic re-enactment groups.

The Gordon Highlanders from the Great War and the East Yorkshire Regiment of the Second World War will be among the proud old regimental names welcomed back.

The weekend will take visitors not only into the minds of soldiers fighting in the trenches of the First World War, but also behind enemy lines in the company of the Special Operations Executive, who will lift the lid on spying in occupied France.

English Heritage's regional events manager, Jon Hogan, said: "Whilst many people think about war as being something waged by men, we'll also be looking at the role of women during wartime."

Visitors will also enjoy musical relief from the displays of trench life and encampments with marching and music from the Richmond and District Pipe Band each day at 3.30pm.

The event runs from 11am to 5pm, with the castle itself open from 10am to 6pm. For more information, call Richmond Castle on 01748 822493.