MORE than 100 artists and craftspeople working in and around York will welcome visitors to their studios over two weekends in April.

Furniture makers, painters, potters, sculptors, jewellers and artists work in spaces rarely open to the public, from town houses and cottage workshops to garden sheds.

This year's spring open studios event takes place over the weekends of April 14-15 and April 21-22 with more artists and makers than ever joining the line-up.

New artists include Iain Wills, whose paintings have been exhibited at York Art Gallery, and printmaker Michelle Hughes, whose linocut prints are inspired by nature and the British countryside.

Other printmakers include Dan Howden, recipient of the Anthony Dawson Young Printmaker of the year award, and Gerard Hobson with his beautifully designed images of nature and wild animals.

Lauren Terry will show characterful cows in the Bar Lane Studios alongside work by Charis Raine. A group of artists including illustrators, printmakers, potters work at the PICA studios. Others to seek out include ceramicist Ruth King and furniture maker Marcus Jacka.

Beccy Ridsdel, chairwoman, said: "We're very lucky to live in such a vibrant, creative city with so many wonderful artists and craftspeople."

For full details and maps visit yorkopenstudios.co.uk. Saturday opening times are 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Free copies of the event programme are also available online.