A FESTIVAL has been recognised for its contribution to leisure and tourism.

Thirsk Festival has been presented with a regional award by Action for Market Towns, a national organisation that brings together market towns from across the country.

The Yorkshire and Humberside Market Towns Award for Tourism and Leisure was given to Thirsk Rotary Club, which promotes the festival, but was dedicated to the people of Thirsk, who have supported the event since it began six years ago.

The festival project will be published as a case study for other market towns to see an example of best practice.

So far, the festival has raised £100,000 for good causes and this year, a dedicated festival office has been set up at 15A Castlegate, with a festival co-ordinator, Alan Nuttall.

Festival chairman, Derek Gardiner said: "We are delighted, particularly because the award, although presented to the Rotary Club of Thirsk as promoters, was addressed to the people of Thirsk, who have taken the festival to their hearts and made it such a success.

"The award will help enormously with our future plans for marketing and development."

He also thanked regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, the Countryside Agency, the county council, Hambleton District Council, Thirsk Town Council and more than 40 sponsors who supported the festival.

This year's event will run from Saturday, July 3, to Sunday, July 11. It will feature a variety of music and concerts, a grand carnival, funfair weekend, exhibitions, talks, competitions, games, stalls and sideshows.