THE region's answer to Jamie Oliver will be serving up some tasty treats during a food festival at Easter.

Chef Guy Middleton has signed up to provide demonstrations of healthy eating at the Wear Valley Food Festival, which takes place at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Saturday, April 15, from 10am to 4pm.

The annual event started three years ago to highlight what the district has to offer in terms of local produce, including food, arts and crafts.

There will be more than 70 exhibitors at the free event, which has attracted more than 12,000 people in the past two years.

Mr Middleton, a chef at Staindrop Comprehensive School, in Teesdale, has been working over the past year to provide healthier meals for youngsters at the school.

He said: "I thought it would be a good opportunity because it promotes what I'm doing at the school and it helps Bishop Auckland. I hope it is a big success."

The event is a partnership between Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum, Wear Valley District Council, Auckland Castle and the Market Towns Initiative.

Sue Snowdon, from the Town Centre Forum, said: "We are delighted that Guy has joined us. He's going to do demonstrations of healthy eating and dining, using produce from the farmers' market. It's a local chef using local produce."

For the first time, this year has also seen the festival link-up with Locomotion: the National Railway Museum, in Shildon, and Harperley Prisoner of War Camp, with free link buses travelling between all three attractions. A vintage town bus will also be taking people living in Bishop Auckland to and from the festival.

Mrs Snowdon said: "We are looking to promote what Bishop Auckland and the Dales can offer. People can come and see some of the attractions all in one day."