ONE of the county's biggest food festivals has gained the backing of a range of well-known businesses as it makes plans for its AGM.

Northallerton’s Homegrown Food Festival has clinched sponsorship with the Kerfoot Group, department store Barkers, Wall’s County Town Brewery and car dealership Simon Bailes Peugeot.

In addition, organisers have announced that of the 120 stalls available at the event in June, more than 70 have already been snapped by local producers and providers.

The AGM takes place on May 6 at Truefitt’s Tap on the town’s High Street and all are welcome to find out more about this year’s festival as well as how to become one of the volunteer ‘Festival Makers’ for the day itself.

Since starting as an idea amongst friends in Northallerton in 2011, the festival has become one of the county’s biggest foodie events, last year attracting more than 6,000 visitors.

Now in its fourth year, this year’s free event takes place on June 28 on the Applegarth and will include a food theatre featuring award-winning chefs.

A “Tipple Tent” will serve locally-brewed beers, spirits and wines, a Kids’ Kitchen will hold interactive cookery workshops for children and the Grow Zone will encourage people to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs.

For more information visit homegrownfoodfest.co.uk/