MIXED weather didn’t deter food fans who descended in large numbers on Leyburn, attracted by the region’s best culinary delights.

The Dales Festival of Food and Drink dominated the town’s market place with more than 80 stalls offering a huge range of food and rink.

Even Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive Sir Gary Verity called in briefly to give the festival the once over and his seal of approval.

Main sponsors the Wensleydale Creamery were kept busy on both days with high demand for their new lines Yorkshire Brie and Cheddar.

Their cheese experts also demonstrated turning eight pints of local milk into 500g of Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese in 40 minutes.

A sudden downpour on Saturday saw Leyburn Band’s audience in a marquee swell to capacity - and when the rain threatened to penetrate the band played on.

The entertainment also saw local chefs sharing their secrets in several cooking demonstrations in the theatre. The atmosphere was reinforced by street entertainment from Blue Boxt and performances from Leyburn Amateur Dramatic Society.

Organised by the Leyburn & Mid-Wensleydale Partnership any financial surplus from the weekend goes to local causes and since 2002,it has generated more than £154,000.