BUSINESS owners and residents in a market town are to hold their first dedicated celebration of food producers, restaurants, cafe and pubs next month.

Stokesley Food Week will run from Saturday, October 3 until Saturday, October 10 and will showcase the variety of places to eat and drink in the town.

The festival has been organised by Stokesley Parish Council and a host of local businesses and will include pop-up food demonstrations, promotions by local cafes, pubs and restaurants and activities for children.

The week will kick-off with special events at the monthly Stokesley Farmers’ Market – which was named the best farmers’ market in England in 2014 – held on The Plain on Saturday, October 3.

Parish councillor Ian Blakemore said: “The aim of Stokesley Food Week is to showcase our town’s vibrant gastronomic scene. It’s a completely new idea and we hope it will lead to a dedicated food festival in Stokesley early next year.”

Councillor Stewart Brennan, also a member of Stokesley Parish Council, said in recent years the town had seen many new, independent businesses opening. They also wanted to build on the huge success of the town’s farmers’ market.

“Many people may not even be aware that Stokesley has everything from a sophisticated hotel and high-end bistros to traditional tea shops, cosy pubs producing their own real ale and ice cream and pancake experts,” he said.

“We want to encourage people not only from the town but also the surrounding areas to enjoy what’s on offer in the town and sample a range of food.”

For more information visit; www.facebook.com/StokesleyFoodWeek