FOODIES from across the region are licking their lips in anticipation as the long-awaited Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival returns.

Celebrity chefs John Torode and James Martin are the star names for the weekend, but there will be an incredible amount of food, drink, music and fun for all tastes and ages.

As well as watching Masterchef maestro John and Yorkshire’s finest James demonstrate their cooking skills in the big top arena, there will also be many different workhops, including stone carving, floristry, and even making a vintage plate cake stand.

A spokesman for the festival, which is this year at Funkirk Farm, Carleton, said: “There’s lots to do and you get to take your creations home with you.”

There will also be cake painting demonstrations, a drinks tasting tent, and a spirits and cocktails tent.

There is also musical entertainment including the Ed Sheeran Experience and Home Town Glory Adele tribute along with local Yorkshire musicians including The Keatings, Steph Baker and Glusburn teen Niamh Mirfield.

There will be plenty of activities for children too. Along with the vintage fun fair, Pets at Home will be there with their petting farm.

PTAs from Embsay and Boyle and Petyt Primary Schools will provide activities to join in with including arts and crafts, biscuit decorating and face painting. Then on Sunday there will be tractors for children to sit in and have their photos taken.

There will be over 200 food and drink exhibitors to buy breakfast, dinner, tea and treats to take home.

A free bus will also be running from Skipton Railway Station and Skipton High Street to the festival.

This year’s on site charity car park is in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Tickets are still available online from yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com and can be bought on the day, although that will cost more.

The Craven Herald is the media sponsor of the food festival and will be carrying a full report and pictures next week.