Blyth Golf Club – in partnership with Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure, and Blyth and Bedlington Schools Partnership – are clubbing together with the English Golf Union and Gold Foundation to encourage more juniors to take up the game.

The festival will run from 10am to 5pm on Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, at Blyth Golf Club in New Delaval, Newsham.

The event is free of charge to visitors with activities including PGA professional tuition, competitions, pitch and putt as well as advice about equipment and where to play.

Steven Ellis, Blyth Golf Club's junior development officer, said: "We're really looking forward to this, our second annual festival.

"We hope the weather is kind to us, and I believe visitor numbers will be up, exceeding the 300 children who came and enjoyed themselves last year.

"Last year we saw a dramatic increase in the number of children enjoying the sport, during the professional Saturday morning lessons.

"Additionally as part of an EGU initiative we are using the golf festival to promote and encourage parents and grandparents to take up the game.

"Blyth Golf Club will be holding separate female and men free taster sessions, for further information on registrations please contact the club."

Representatives from all of the region's golf clubs have been invited to attend, with a tented village being set up to accommodate them as well as golf suppliers and other exhibitors.

In another milestone, the club has achieved the much coveted Golfmark and Clubmark accreditations, also receiving the Golfmark High Achiever status, becoming only one of 20 golf clubs in the country and the first in Northumberland to achieve it.

A formal presentation will take place Friday.

For more information about the festival contact Steve Ellis on 07837 707896, Jim Ferguson on 07930 131866 or Jim Wright on (01670) 540110 ext 5.

Alternatively visit www.blythgolf.co.uk