There is a wide array of events planned as part of the 2019 Mendip Rocks! programme.

You'll be able to go into quarries, see fantastic fossils, explore coalfields and how the geology of the Mendip Hills shapes everything we do on top and below.

There are four showcase events for you and your family:

The programme kicked off with It's a Blast at Westbury Quarry on Saturday. Visitors braved the wind to explore this quarry that you can't normally get into and to see a car being blown up.

There was also a chance to discover the amazing archaeology and rare plants in this unique site.

Fossil Funday at Somerset Earth Science Centre in Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael. Wednesday 21st August. See lots of fantastic fossils unearthed across the hills and bring your own to be identified by the experts. With rock crafts and arts, and quarry tours.

Burrington Combe Rock Bash. Wednesday 28 August 11am to 4pm. Check out the caves and combe and discover how it all came about. You even get to make your own limestone in seconds plus lots more family activities.

Explore Ebbor Gorge. Sunday 20th October 10am to 4pm. Delve into this amazing gorge with experts and rangers to guide you through staggering history that is still being discovered to this day. The archaeologists will be on hand to explain just how important this site is and show you the fossils and bones they've found here. A day not to be missed in the 450 million-year-old history of the Mendip Hills.

Jim Hardcastle, Mendip Hills AONB manager, said: "We love putting on the Mendip Rocks programme each year, alongside the main four events we've got another 20 walks, talks and tours that really let people understand just how important the geology is to our lives in this area.

"What's great is that the events brings you close to the experts that can really bring everything to life and you get to go places you can't normally go."

The Mendip Rocks! programme has been organised by the Somerset Earth Science Centre, AONB Unit and Mendip Society since 2011.

Local and national experts all give their time to put on this unique array of events. To discover the whole programme go to http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/events/