FOUR years ago, the town of Bedale staged a six-month celebration marking the 750th anniversary of it being granted a market charter.

Now the group behind the successful festival, Bedale 750, has been formally wound up.

At its final meeting, chairman John Weighell thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the six-month-long celebrations, which included 45 events.

They ranged from a visit from BBC Radio 4's Any Questions with David Blunkett and Iain Duncan-Smith on the panel, to musical, theatrical and sporting events, as well as a medieval market and fair.

At the meeting, North Yorkshire County Councillor Weighell paid special tribute to Doug Gillett, the festival co-ordinator, who died in September.

He was instrumental in raising enthusiasm and substantial sponsorship for the festival from many local businesses and organisations and it was largely thanks to him that there was a surplus to distribute.

Of that surplus, £7,000 was presented to the local Education Fund, £1,000 to the town council towards the cost of installing toilets in Bedale Hall Park and a medallion commissioned for the office of deputy mayor.

The chairman also thanked to Ralph Robinson for handling all publicity and producing the video of the celebrations.