THE long-overdue and highly anticipated Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival is coming to Skipton Auction Mart this weekend.

With Yorkshire-born James Martin as the event patron, this is an event not to be missed.

Promoting the ‘Field to Fork’ ethos and showcasing the finest food, drink and chefs, principally from the Yorkshire Dales region, the festival is a combination of more than 250 traders selling the best of regional produce.

There is a celebrity chef demonstration arena – featuring the Hairy Bikers on Saturday and James Martin on Sunday – and a local chef demonstration arena showcasing our fantastic local talents. Timothy Taylor Brewery is hosting a bar area and there are vibrant indoor and outdoor street food arenas.

Skipton Auction Mart is being transformed into a 'foodies' heaven', with plenty to enjoy for all the family.

Working in partnership with Bret Butler of Skipton Town Council, Skipton Market, Skipton Town Partnership, Welcome to Yorkshire, Deliciously Yorkshire and Timothy Taylor Brewery, this is a great community event working to attract locals and visitors alike to the town.

Saturday tickets have sold out online but will be available on the door, priced from £20. Sunday tickets can still be purchased online at the yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com website.