Saffron Walden Museum is encouraging young people to have a go at the traditional craft of pargetting.

The museum is offering two one-day workshops later this month with The Pargetting Company, aimed at people aged 18 to 30.

Pargetting involves decorating plaster walls with stamps and freehand designs. The workshops are free to attend, but places must be booked in advance via the museum's website.

The workshops will take place outdoors in the musuem grouns and will be led by Bill Sargent of The Pargetting Company.

Participants will get hands-on with the patterns and designs, and will be able to take away their own freehand design in plaster on a board.

The workshops were initiated by local politician Paul Fairhurst, after seeing a demonstration of pargetting last October on the town's Saffron Day.

He explained: "I discovered that Saffron Walden has some beautiful examples of this ancient craft, and I hope these workshops will encourage people to take up pargetting and so help to preserve this heritage craft for future generations to enjoy."

Carolyn Wingfield, the museum curator, added: "The museum is delighted to be offering this special opportunity to try a traditional craft.

"Many local historic houses are pargetted and it’s a special part of Saffron Walden’s heritage."

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No previous experience is required, and the workshops could be of interest to anyone considering a future in art and design, architecture, building or local history and conservation.

There are two workshops, with six places on each, on Wednesday, July 26 and Thursday, July 27 from 10am to 3pm.

Participants need to be living or working in the Saffron Walden area and be aged 18 to 30. They are asked to wear sensible clothing and shoes to the workshops.

To book a free place, visit https://saffron-walden-museum.arttickets.org.uk/ and choose your workshop date.

Soft drinks will be provided, and participants can bring their own picnic lunch to enjoy in the museum and castle grounds.

The Pargetting Company will also give a demonstration in a traditional craft display at Saffron Walden Museum on August 24, which will be open to members of the public.