A WORKSHOP about the UK Parliament - and how to engage with it - will be given in Otley next month.

Senior Education and Engagement Officer for Parliament’s North East region, Lynn Hobson, will discuss Empowering People: Discover the UK Parliament at Otley Courthouse on Thursday, June 6.

The event, which comes against the backdrop of MPs being given a tough time over their handling of Brexit, will tackle a number of key questions including:

*What’s the best way to contact your MP?

*What does the House of Lords do and how can you contact them?

*And what are the different ways in which MPs and Lords can raise issues on your behalf?

The workshop will also adopt an interactive approach and see participants taking part in a quiz and other activities.

Ms Hobson said: “I work with people who do not know about Parliament and don’t have the confidence or knowledge of where to start in going about changing things they know are wrong.

“Our democracy is only as strong as the people who get involved.”

The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £5, under-18s free. Places can be booked by visiting www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, calling (01943) 467466 or popping into the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street.

Fans of The Jam, meanwhile, can look forward to hearing some of the trio’s best-loved tracks performed live at the Courthouse the following night.

Tribute act A Band Called Malice will play a selection of singles and album tracks that range from The Jam’s early years right through to their very last album, 1982’s The Gift.

Led by Paul Weller on vocals and guitar with - during their prime years - Rick Buckler on drums and Bruce Foxton on bass, The Jam were at the forefront of the 1970s/early 1980s Mod revival movement.

Formed in 1972 at Sheerwater Secondary School in Woking, Surrey the band merged influences from punk rock, R&B, American Motown and more to create its own, energised sound.

The group’s debut single, In the City, was released in April, 1977 and they went on to have 18 consecutive Top 40 singles in the UK, including four number one hits.

Huge fans of The Jam themselves, A Band Called Malice is promising a show full of ‘high-octane energy, angst, aggression, passion and soul’ at the Courthouse.

They are due to take the stage - the show is a standing-only event - at 8pm and tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door.