ONE of Darlington’s best loved businesses will be taking to the streets for the town’s second annual food festival.

The two day Distinctly Delicious Darlington Festival of Food will be held in the town centre on May 9 and 10 and so far 50 per cent more local food producers than last year have signed up to take part.

The event is the brainchild of business improvement district company Distinct Darlington and shines a spotlight on the region’s independent and artisan food producers.

Along with stalls selling everything from local produce to street food from a variety of countries, there will be demonstrations and tastings, encouraging residents and visitors alike to experiment with new skills and cuisines.

Among those showing off their wares will be family butchers Taylors of Darlington, which will be selling a wide range of its renowned pies and sausages from a pop up stall at High Row.

Taylor's director Paul Taylor Garthwaite said: “We saw how successful last year’s event was and the fantastic atmosphere there was in the town centre and decided we’d be mad not to take part.

“We’re really looking forward to it and, along with our pies and sausages, we’re also planning to serve our signature roast potatoes with a choice of savoury toppings, so we hope as many people as possible will come along and try them out.”

Thirty of the region’s leading producers, of everything from cakes and cordials to confectionery and cheese, will be joining Taylors, at High Row, between 10am and 5pm each day, while a variety of street food will be available from midday until 5pm at Joseph Pease Monument.