THE Dales Festival of Food and Drink is probably unrivalled throughout England, Lord Brittan said on Saturday.

This year over 21,000 people headed for Leyburn over the bank holiday weekend even though the weather on the first two days was wet and gloomy. They came from Lancashire and Derbyshire as well as Yorkshire and County Durham.

"We are extremely pleased," said Gerald Hodgson, one of the event organisers. "We battled with many difficulties on the rain-soaked site and we have learned a lot."

This year it wasn't only the food hall with over 80 exhibitors which was full and overflowing but also the theatre marquee and speaker's corner.

Paul Theakston was amazed on Saturday morning to find about 80 people waiting to hear him talk about the setting up of the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham.

"In other years we have often had big crowds for the celebrity speakers but this time there was always a good audience," said Mr Hodgson.

The main celebrity this year was again Countdown TV quiz host Richard Whiteley who, with his partner, Kathryn Apanowicz and the beer chef Richard Fox, cooked several dishes using beer on Sunday.

Mr Whiteley attended the event despite suffering from flu.

There was often standing room only in the theatre marquee where there were six demonstrations a day, including one by the cooking canons, Brian Abell and Leslie Morley.

"All were well received and I think that was because they were so passionate about what they were doing," said Mavis Parry. The local chefs taking part were Andy Burton from Swinton Park, Jonathan Harrison of the Sandpiper Inn in Leyburn, and Gavin Swift from the Wyvill Arms.

Mrs Parry thanked Andrew Reaks and his team from County Kitchens, Calor Gas and Darlington College for setting up all the facilities in the theatre marquee.

Peter Bell, from Darlington College, excelled himself, as he not only gave demonstrations but was also overseeing the college students running the cafetaria, bistro and the spit roast.

"The quality and service in the bistro was excellent," said writer and raconteur, Gervaise Phinn.

After his successful talk on Monday afternoon he enjoyed a glass of the winning beer in the beer festival. This was Cauldron Snout from the Darwin Brewery in Sunderland. "I love Irish stout and this one has a lovely heavy taste. It's a powerful drink," he said.

The beer festival was organised and sponsored by the Daleside Brewery of Harrogate, which took second prize with one of its beers. Third prize went to Cameron's from Hartlepool.

Mr Phinn also complimented the Leyburn Band for achieving such a high standard in such a short period of time since it was re-formed. All the musicians enjoyed playing in the special band marquee that was set up this year.

"They really appreciated the atmosphere and having a good enthusiastic audience," said Mr Hodgson. As well as the Leyburn Band there was music by the Muker Band, the Black Sheep Jazz Band and the Wensleydale Stompers.

Exhibitors in the food hall were again delighted with the festival, with the majority again having had bumper sales. They spoke of the great atmosphere in the hall which they attributed to the passion and good organisation of the festival steering committee.

Andrew Voakes of Voakes Pies, Whixley, said trade had been spectacular. He anticipated selling more than 2,000 pork pies by the end of the festival.

Despite the weather even those running the vintage fairground attractions had their best festival weekend so far. "These fit in so well with the festival," added Mr Hodgson.

He said that the plastic walkways had helped people get around the muddy site and that there had been plenty of seating in the covered areas. "It is important to provide people with a place to rest and shelter," he said.

Many went into Leyburn to find further facilities, often encouraged by the children's quiz sponsored by the town council.

"The festival is fantastic, it brings so many people to the town," said the mayor, Coun Ian Barker. The shops that were open along with the pubs and restaurants all did good business.

Light refreshments were also available at the Methodist church and at St Matthew's church hall. The vicar, the Rev Christopher Huggett, sold copies of a food quiz at the festival and the total raised for St Matthew's from that and the refreshments was about £750.

Traidcraft goods amounting to £482 were sold in the garden of Mike and Jackie Warden, double the total raised last year. On Monday light refreshments were also available raising a further £100 for Traidcraft Exchange, the charity arm of Traidcraft.

"There was a great atmosphere watching the world go by," said the organiser, Carol Leaman