LOVERS of fine food can put away their Easter eggs and indulge instead in culinary delights from across the region at a food festival.

Auckland Castle will once again provide the back drop for the Wear Valley Food Festival after last year's success when more than 6,000 people passed through its gates.

Beryl Anderson, event manager and member of Bishop Auckland Town centre forum, said: "This year it is going to be even bigger and better than last year, and last year was a huge success."

There will be children's entertainment as well as crafts and floral displays dotted around the stalls of cheese, meats, vegetables, jams and cakes, all from local producers, including Kelly Ann's, of Newgate Street, which will be demonstrating chocolate and sugar moulding.

This year the festival is offering a free vintage bus park-and-ride, which will make various stops around Bishop Auckland to take people to the event.

Kim Fryer, castle manager, said: "One of the main aims of the festival is raise the town centre's profile.

"The parking was such an issue last year that this year we wanted to make it easier for people, hence the free shuttle."

The festival is held on Easter Saturday, March 26, from 10am until 5pm.