A NEW festival will be held this summer to celebrate the fishing heritage of the North Yorkshire coast.

The event, called "Fish. Fillet. Feast!" will be held from 11am to 7pm on June 18 in Saltburn, Staithes, Runswick Bay, Sandsend and Robin Hood's Bay.

Visitors will be able to enjoy samples of locally-caught fish and maritime-themed entertainment. A full programme will be announced nearer the time.

The event is being organised by Scarborough-based arts development company Create on behalf of the North York Moors National Park Authority.

Local fishermen and chefs will showing visitors how to catch and prepare freshly-caught fish before barbecuing it and serving tastings to visitors.

York Press:

Restaurants and cafés will serve special dishes; local arts, crafts and photography will be showcased; and there will be street performers and musicians.

Catriona McLees, the National Park Authority's head of promotion and tourism, said: “For centuries, fishing was at the heart of community life along the coast with the fishermen venturing out in coble boats and wives making nets and gansey sweaters for their menfolk.

“Today, the sea offers an abundant array of fish from mackerel through to lobsters and brown crabs, and fishing is undergoing a renaissance here particularly as more people are seeking out locally-caught, seasonal food.

“It’s therefore great to see so many local businesses coming together to celebrate their heritage and showcase the simple delights of eating freshly-caught and cooked fish.”