DOZENS of doors will swing open across the Yorkshire Dales National Park this weekend, as hidden and historic buildings are revealed for Heritage Open Days 2004.

A variety of buildings in all parts of the Dales are participating in this year's Heritage Open Days event, including churches, museums, halls and houses.

Details of all participating venues in the Yorkshire Dales can be found at www.heritageopendays.org.uk. The initiative runs from 10-13 September.

Heritage Open Days is an annual event that is co-ordinated nationally by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage, which also core funds the scheme

On 12 September visitors to Stainforth Youth Hostel will have the opportunity to watch Dales Volunteers unearthing an historic cobbled yard.

The free event also offers people the chance to enjoy the recently re-opened kitchen garden, renovated bee boles and follow a new heritage trail through the grounds of the Georgian hostel.

Across the Craven district alone, two dozen properties will be taking part in Heritage Open Days 2004, compared to just one in previous years.

• The popular Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes - owned and operated by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority - is also taking part in Heritage Open Day 2004 and will be offering free admission on 11 and 12 September.