A DISPUTE which threatened the future of one of Wensleydale's biggest annual events appears to be over, with organisers having confirmed that they have found new locations for some of the attractions.

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

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

However, so many people crammed into the market place that there was concern afterwards that the town could be swamped if the festival continued to grow.

Local people had already complained that 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, saying it might countenance a festival presence of some sort but that it would have to be on a smaller scale.

As a result, organisers have been looking for alternative locations for some of the larger attractions.

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, a Women's Institute market and a buggy park.

The number of stalls inside will remain the same but the location will give visitors more room to manoeuvre.

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 personnel from the fire station.

Parking at the mart will be reserved for disabled drivers and exhibitors.

Other motorists will be encouraged to use the park-and-ride service, which will operate 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 said the decision was down to the town council.

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

Members of the town council are due to meet on Monday to discuss the plans in more detail.