AN entertainer from the other side of the world is making a special trip to North Yorkshire – to help celebrate the best of local food.

Comedian Justine Sless is heading directly to North Yorkshire for Northallerton’s Homegrown Food Festival after a series of sell-out shows at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia.

Although resident Down Under for the last 20 years, Justine is originally from Teesside and is fitting in the Northallerton event with a visit to her proud mum Irene Myers, who still lives in the area.

Justine will be the MC for the event on June 23, which has already attracted more than 50 stall-holders. There will also be displays and a food theatre among other activities.

“The festival was looking for a sparky and fun MC for the whole event, and Justine offered to do it,” said a spokesman. “She MCs and hosts a raft of major events in Melbourne.”

The Darlington and Stockton Times is sponsoring the festival, which follows a successful event held in the town last year.

It is run entirely by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about bringing locally-produced food from independent businesses into Northallerton, to showcase what is available.