THE Dales Festival of Food and Drink will bring together the best of local produce this bank holiday weekend.

The festival, which is in its eighth year, will have a range of attractions, from beekeeping demonstrations, bread-making sessions and sheep-shearing to real ales, organic meat and homemade preserves.

Started in 2002 as a one-off event to help farmers recover from the foot and-mouth outbreak, the Dales Festival of Food and Drink received so much support that it was staged again in 2003, and has gone from strength to strength since.

The three-day event will take place in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, featuring food from more than 80 local producers, including organic bread, sweets, preserves, ice cream, cheese, pies, beer and game.

In the Farming for Food tent, there will be sheepshearing, soup-making, dry stone walling and brewing.

Visitors will be able to make bread, and butter to go with it, as well taste samples of fresh milk.

There will also be a chance to meet the original WI Calendar Girls, who will launch their range of preserves.

The festival, which will also feature cookery demonstrations, music and entertainment, aims to highlight the importance of sustainable, local produce.

Gerald Hodgson, who is organising the Farming for Food section for the weekend, said: “The point is to show people how the farming industry relates to the produce they buy.

“There will also be a lot of fun activities going on, at what is set to be the best year yet.”

Author Gervaise Phinn, festival patron, said: “There is no better way of spending the May Day Bank Holiday weekend than a visit to beautiful Wensleydale, for there is something for everyone at this varied and colourful pageant and the hospitality is of the very best.”

The festival tomorow, Sunday and Mondy is open from 10am to 5pm. Tickets cost £6 per day or £9 for a three-day pass. More details from dalesfestivaloffood.org