ORGANISERS of Seaham Food Festival say they are delighted to confirm the event will take place today.

Strong winds and torrential rain left Durham County Council with no choice but to cancel the first day of the event yesterday.

The storm has cleared overnight, meaning the free foodie fun can go ahead as planned on Terrace Green between 10am and 4pm.

It is the first time Seaham has hosted an event of this scale and festival-goers can look forward to an action-packed programme, including cookery demonstrations by ITV This Morning’s resident chef Phil Vickery at the free cookery theatre.

Phil will be taking to the stage at 11.30am and 1.30pm, whilst seafood specialists The Crabstock Boys will be cooking up delicious recipes at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

There will also be more than 100 traders selling tasty local produce and exotic street food from all over the world and live music. Little Dots Dishes will be running children’s baking workshops at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm and tickets cost £6.50. Spaces are still available and can be booked on site.

Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted that Seaham Food Festival will go ahead as planned today.

“This is such an important event for the town and the whole of County Durham. It’s an opportunity for us to showcase our amazing food businesses and to build on our reputation as a culinary destination, attracting more tourists and boosting our economy.

“Now that the storm has cleared, come along and experience everything that’s on offer.”

Visitors travelling to the festival today can use a special park and ride service. The buses are all wheelchair accessible and will run every ten minutes between Spectrum Business Park (SR7 7TT) in Seaham and the town centre.

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Signs directing road users to the Spectrum will be on display on all major approach roads into the town.

The first bus will leave Spectrum at 9.30am and the last bus will leave at 3.30pm. The final bus will return from the festival at 4.30pm. Drop off and pick up points at the festival site are the same.

Return tickets cost £2 for adults, 50 pence for children aged six to 15 years and are free for concessions and youngsters aged five and under.

Town centre car parks will also be open, although may be busy. Road users should also be aware that North Terrace will be closed until 9pm this evening. Diversions will be in place during this time.

Visitors are also encouraged to use public transport where possible, with bus services operating as normal and Seaham Railway Station just a ten-minute walk from the festival site. Located on the Carlisle to Middlesbrough line, the latter is ideal for those living in Carlisle, Hexham, Corbridge, Wylam, Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Stockton and Middlesbrough.

For more information about traveling to Seaham Food Festival, visit www.seahamfoodfestival.co.uk. To stay up to date with the latest festival news follow @SeahamFoodFest on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Seaham Food Festival is part of #Durham19, a year-long campaign led by Visit County Durham, the council and other partners to celebrate the many cultural events taking place across the county this year. To find out more, visit www.durham.gov.uk/durham19