MORE than 23,000 people enjoyed a taste of the best food and drink the North-East has to offer.

The crowds at the Bishop of Durham's official residence Auckland Castle were the biggest ever seen in recent years.

Many people were visiting Saturday's record-breaking event for the first time and took the opportunity to tour the castle's state rooms and historic chapel, where 17-year-old Adam Zair played the organ.

Spin off benefits were also seen in the centre of Bishop Auckland, where shops, cafes and pubs were busy all day.

The Bishop the Right Reverend Tom Wright mingled with crowds in the castle grounds where 100 stalls were laden with freshly produced food and high quality ingredients.

There was cheese from Teesdale and Northumberland, venison and game from nearby Rushyford, soup from Weardale, puddings and chickens from Burtree and a choice of spicy sauces, pickles and pies.

Chef Nick Martin selected goods from the stalls to create tasty dishes in the Northumbria Larder kitchen.

He said: "I am passionate about good, local food. If we don't use these people we will lose them."

Thanks to the sunshine ice cream was a sellout and supplies of a specially brewed BBC beer were restocked throughout the day.

Sur Archer, of Archers ice cream of Walworth, near Darlington, said: "Sales of our ice cream did exceptionally. We sold one of our new lines including a dark chocolate fudge. We ran out!"

"Months of work have gone into the organisation of the festival - and it's all been worthwhile."

Wear Valley District Council chairman Edie Murphy welcomed other civic heads from around the region.

Vet Paul Wilson, who chairs Bishop Auckland traders' association, said: "I have never seen the town so busy or the Market Place look so good.

"This has been good for the whole town. People are going to come back."

Lord Foster, Bishop Auckland's former MP Derek Foster, said the festival had fulfilled its original aim when it was established by the Town Centre Forum four years ago.

He said: "When we first started, two thirds of the people who came from Bishop Auckland had never been to the castle.

"We wanted to show people the castle and Bishop Auckland's lovely market square and town hall.

"By bringing people here and to other attractions at the Locomotion railway museum in Shildon and the Weardale Railway, we will put tourism in south Durham in a totally different league."