STOKESLEY is preparing to host its annual food week, which this year will be bigger and better than ever thanks to popular demand.

Stokesley Food Week will return for the third year running with more events than ever.

The celebration will run from October 1 to October 7 and will see the town’s residents and businesses showcase their local cafes, bars, restaurants, food producers and retailers.

This year it has been extended with a free launch celebration on Sunday, October 1 from 11am until 4pm, when local food and drink producers will showcase their products in a marquee on The Plain outside the town hall. There will also be a prosecco bar at Chapter’s Deli and live music and pop-up food demonstrations, as well as free food and drink supplies.

One of the highlights of this year’s Stokesley Food Week is a special Gin and Jazz party in the town hall on Friday, October 6.

The event, organised by Angrove Park, will offer over 40 gins as well as a range of canapes and live music. Tickets are £15 and are available from the town hall. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to a local foodbank charity.

Following the success of last year’s wine-tasting with Sharman Wines, the event will return to Chapter’s Hotel on October 4. Tickets are £12 and available from the hotel.

Stokesley Food Week will culminate with a ‘Super Farmers Market’ on Saturday, October 7 when the award-winning Northern Dales Farmers Market will host its biggest-ever market on The Plain featuring a range of local producers from across the North of England.

Businesses in and around Stokesley will also be running a range of offers across the week with special discounts and new product showcases. Those confirmed as taking part include The Jet Miner’s in Great Broughton, The Dudley Arm’s in Ingleby Greenhow, Panda Chinese, Bexter’s Team Rooms, Chunk Chocolates and Newboulds.

Stokesley Food Week is being organised by Stokesley Town Council, with support from a range of local business and organisations, and launched in 2015.

Ian Blakemore, parish councillor, said: “It’s great to see the enthusiasm for this event growing year on year, with great involvement across the community. An ever-increasing range of organisations and food businesses large and small are keen to be involved.

“The town council is really pleased to be hosting this event again this year and are looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors to sample the range of food and drink on offer throughout the week.”

Stewart Brennan, parish councillor, said: “We’re all really looking forward to the third Stokesley Food Week which is all about our local restaurants, pubs, cafes and food retailers promoting their own special offers for the week and making Stokesley an even better place to dine out and to shop. We have fantastic support from many local businesses again this year and we’re excited to be showcasing some amazing producers- as well as live music and entertainment.

“We really hope to build upon the success of previous years and to make this year bigger and better than ever before, encouraging more people to visit our market town.”