A POPULAR food festival will receive a special blessing when it returns next month.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, will launch the Bishop Auckland Food Festival on Saturday, April 1.

He will be joined by Councillor Neil Foster, Durham County Council cabinet member for economic regeneration and culture, to welcome visitors and traders to the festival

The two day event, which concludes on Sunday, April 2, will include many stalls and masterclasses and also a new event in St Anne’s church in the Market Place – a celebration of Holy Feasts.

The traditions of breads, wine and oils will be on offer alongside displays of Passover and Seder meal, the last supper, holy communions, Good Friday and Easter foods.

For details, visit bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk.