A WRANGLE which threatened the destiny of one of Wensleydale's biggest events appears to be over, with organisers confirming they have found new locations for some of the attractions.

The Food and Drink Festival, held mainly in Leyburn, is only two years old but has already become a runaway success.

Thousands attended this year's event over the May Day Bank Holiday, including film crews following celebrities from the culinary world.

However, so many people crammed the Market Place, there was real concern afterwards that the town could be swamped if the festival continued to grow.

Local people had already complained they found it almost impossible to go about their daily business over the festival weekend, prompting the town council to take the radical step of banning events from the Market Place.

The authority moderated its stance at a subsequent meeting, indicating it may consider a festival presence of some sort, but it would have to be on a smaller scale.

As a result, organisers have been busy ever since hunting for alternative locations for the attractions which have tended to take up space.

Spokesman Gerald Hodgson confirmed that the town's Auction Mart has agreed to host a bigger food hall, which will include a farming display, information centre WI market and buggy park.

However, the number of stalls inside will remain the same, giving visitors more room.

Meanwhile, the theatre marquee will go up on part of the district council's car park in the town centre, although 100 parking spaces will be retained for permit holders and staff from the fire station.

Parking at the mart itself will be reserved for disabled drivers and exhibitors; other people will be encouraged to use the park-and-ride service, operating from the field opposite Tennants' auction rooms.

Mr Hodgson said: "We are extremely grateful to the auction mart; they have been extremely helpful and co-operative."

Other events still remain a possibility in the town centre, although Mr Hodgson indicated that this up to the town council.

He added: "We would like to see some fun and festivity in the market place but that is up to them."

The town council was due to discuss the festival plans in more detail last night.