FINAL preparations are under way for the North- East’s biggest food festival next Saturday.

Wear Valley Food Festival, at Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, will feature more than 90 stalls and attractions.

The event, sponsored by Northern Rail and the Cooperative, increases in size and popularity each year.

Stallholders from all over the North-East offer cakes, pies, fresh meat and sweets.

One company attending the event for the first time is New Tastes, which specialises in flavoured sugars and edible confectionery flowers.

Cumbrian Lass, the County Durham pie specialist, is looking to build on its success from last year’s event, when its food sold out in record time.

Stalls will also include handmade cards, arts and crafts and beaded goods.

Community groups from around the district will have promotional stands at the event.

It takes the six-strong organisation committee nearly a year to arrange the festival, and planning for next year’s event will begin within weeks.

Committee member Shaun York said: “We move onto the site on Thursday and will start putting everything in place.

“Traders will start arriving on Friday. We have got more sponsors than ever before this year, which has been a big help.”

Fellow organiser Kathryn Hume said: “We are especially excited about this festival because it is our biggest and best yet.”

More than 20,000 visitors attended last year’s event.

The festival is also sponsored by Wear Valley District Council and Bishop Auckland Town Council.

Northern Rail will operate four extra return trains from Darlington to Bishop Auckland on Saturday, calling at North Road, Heighington, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.

Organisers have also arranged free shuttle buses between the castle and Bishop Auckland train station.

The event will run from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.