CELEBRITY chef James Martin entertained people who braved the rain at the third Ryedale Festival of Food and Drink.

More than 60 stallholders showcased some of Yorkshire's finest cuisine at Castle Howard, near Malton, North Yorkshire.

Exhibitors included those specialising in asparagus, wine-making and brewing and there were Army field catering displays from the Royal Logistics Corps.

Mr Martin, the main attraction, was brought up on the Castle Howard Estate. His his father was the catering manager at the stately home.

He spent the weekend giving cookery demonstrations, watched by crowds of visitors. One woman travelled 275 miles to see him.

Stallholder Margaret Sykes, of the Farmer's Cart, in Towthorpe, near York, said the three-day event was a success.

She said: "We come every year, and there seem far more people this year.

"Whether it's the weather, I do not know, but there has been a lot of interest."

Castle Howard spokeswoman Eleanor Course said: "It's gone really well. We have been over the moon about the number of people coming in."