FOOD-LOVERS will today be able to sample Yorkshire's culinary delights as the York Food & Drink Festival gets underway.

This year's festival runs until September 28 with highlights including a taste trail around the city centre, hands-on cookery lessons and a 10-day market in St Sampson's Square.

The 18th festival is again heavily supportive of all things Yorkshire and celebrates the county's food heritage.

Lynn Allington, organiser, said: "There's still quality produce there for people to sample and we have a micro bar and a demonstration area.

"On the festival's two Saturdays we will have a family hands-on workshop day in the Guildhall that are between 11am and 2pm with various food sessions going on.

"This is something we always try and do anyway, but with the market we always try and get as many people there as possible, and accept guest traders, but we are celebrating Yorkshire."

The CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival on Knavesmire runs alongside the festival until tomorrow (Saturday) and restaurants across the city are getting involved as well.

El Piano, a vegetarian-based restaurant on Grape Lane, is offering diners a chance to eat for £5 when they sit at their community table between noon and 1.30pm over the next 10 days.

All proceeds will go to York Against Cancer and Mummy’s Star, a charity supporting women affected by cancer during pregnancy and beyond.

The event will also see celebrity chef Stephanie Moon team up with the Lord Mayor of York and Selby MP Nigel Adams, in a Can’t Cook Won’t Cook event on Wednesday, followed by a two course meal in the Guildhall.

Entrance to the demonstrations, some workshops and the market, is free.

For information on the whole programme and for ticket reservations visit the Festival website www.yorkfoodfestival.com