PEOPLE turned out in their thousands over the weekend to sample some of the very best the region has to offer.

The eighth Dales Festival of Food and Drink at Leyburn was blessed with blue skies and sunshine which the Bank Holiday weekend crowds took full advantage of.

And the site was buzzing from the moment the gates opened as food-lovers of all ages descended on the colourful array of attractions.

The three-day event, which ends on Monday, was originally launched back in 2002 to help the rural economy recover from the devastating foot-and-mouth crisis.

But it has since become firmly entrenched in the region’s calendar of events and has raised many thousands of pounds for a host of local good causes.

More than 80 producers were demonstrating and selling their wares, including meats, cheeses, preserves, ice-creams, pies, game and breads to name but a few.

There was also the chance to make bread and butter, watch sheep-shearing demonstrations, follow the brewing process, learn more about bee-keeping and even the opportunity to have a go at dry-stone walling.

Expert cooks shared their secrets in the theatre marquee while dog-training and agility sessions and ferret-racing had the crowds cheering, And the beer tent did a roaring trade as it hosted a spectacular real ale festival featuring more than 40 brews from across the county.

The main speaker on Saturday was former SAS boat specialist Peter Bray who drove all the way from Cornwall to speak of his experiences of eating to survive.

He was the first person to use a kayak to cross the North Atlantic solo and unsupported.

But after his talk all he could drink at the beer festival was half a pint - as he had to drive all the way back again that day.

"As a Cornishman I can really appreciate the attractions and values of great local food and drink," he said.

"As you can imagine I end up thinking a lot about what I’m going to eat at the end of an expedition like the North Atlantic Challenge."

On Sunday humorist and writer Gervase Phinn had the crowds laughing and on Monday will be the turn of North Yorkshire’s Mike Pannett whose book Now Then lad about his experiences as a rural beat bobby has been a best-seller.

The festival is open from 10am to 5pm. Tickets are £6. More details from www.dalesfestivaloffood.org