SO successful was a festival of food and drink at Skipton Auction Mart last summer - it attracted 12,000 people - that it is to be held again later this year.

But this time the two-day junket is to be set at Funkirk Farm in Carleton, on Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23.

The Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival is the brainchild of Andy and Rachael Higgins of Skipton, who have been inspired to hold it again by the success of last year's event.

Andy said: "We've changed venue for a number of reasons.

"The auction mart was unavailable to accommodate the celebrity chefs and we were concerned about overcrowding in the isles at the mart.

"Being outside at Funkirk there is the risk of the weather but the space is great and they have held festivals there before. And parking is good."

He stressed that as last year, buses would be running from Skipton town centre to the venue and back again.

Festival patron Yorkshire-born James Martin will be demonstrating his art again on the Sunday and John Torode - of "Buttery Biscuit Base" Masterchef fame - will be featured on the Saturday.

The festival, which aims to promote the ‘Field to Fork’ ethos showcasing the finest food, drink and chefs principally from the Yorkshire Dales regionwi.

It will be a combination of over 250 traders selling the best of regional and national and a showcase of the culinary talent of the area.

To get tickets log on to yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com