THE first Dales Festival of Food and Drink was a victim of its own success at the weekend, attracting so many people that traders were swamped by demand.

Now, there are plans to make the event in Leyburn and Middleham an annual occasion, with more stalls and sideshows promised next year.

As many as 15,000 people are thought to have travelled to Wensleydale over the bank holiday weekend for a taste of the best the region has to offer.

But many who left the trip until Monday afternoon found some stalls in Leyburn's market place had sold out.

"The interest far outstripped what we had anticipated," said spokesman Gerald Hodgson yesterday.

"Some of the stallholders couldn't even return on Monday as all their stock had already gone.

"There's no doubt we will be looking for more traders next year.

"It was difficult for many to commit to an unknown quantity this year when they had just been through a very difficult time due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

"However, we hope we won't have that problem next year and, of course, the success this time around should help make the next festival a lot more attractive.''