THOUSANDS of people were able to sample what the region has to offer in food, history and culture at the weekend.

More than 6,000 visitors attended the Teesdale Food and Craft Festival in the grounds of Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, on Saturday and Sunday. Organisers said it was such a huge success that plans are already being made to hold it again next year.

The festival has provided a platform for local businesses to show off the quality of their produce and craft products.

The idea is to celebrate local food, history and culture, with the front of the museum providing the setting for more than 30 stalls selling a variety of items including home-made cakes, pies, confectionery, preserves and pickles, locally reared meats, free range eggs, local cheeses, and organic vegetables and fruit.

Chefs were also on hand to demonstrate a range of imaginative ways to make the best use of the produce.

It is the second time that the event has been organised as part of The Local Food and Produce Initiative - a Teesdale Marketing project that aims to promote local food and encourage businesses to use and sell local produce.

As well as the food and crafts, visitors were also able to enjoy browsing around the museum, listening to live music, and riding on the Victorian Swing Boats and miniature railway.

People also had their final chance to see the nationally acclaimed Boudin, Monet and the Sea Painters of Normandy exhibition.