MALTON Food Lovers Festival takes place this weekend with organisers promising more top name chefs and foodie, family fun than ever before.

Back for the ninth year, the festival welcomes celebrity chef and British-Jamaican reggae musician, Levi Roots. He will be joined by a line-up of culinary names including food writer and journalist, Prue Leith, the latest judge announced for the Great British Bake Off, and Yorkshire’s finest local talent, including chef consultant and Great British Menu contestant, Stephanie Moon.

At the heart of the festival will be the popular producer market, with more than 160 food and drink producers and street food stalls. The street food market will stay open late on Saturday for the Night Party, headlined by Levi Roots and his reggae band.

The festival is free to enter, but visitors have to purchase tickets to attend exclusive demonstrations from celebrity chefs and Yorkshire’s own talent in the Cookery Theatre, running from 11am both days.

Waterstones will be hosting this year’s festival bookshop, which will host a selection of authors who will be signing copies of their books. Children will have plenty to look forward to in the Kids’ Zone with food making activities, a Vintage Fun Fair with carousel.

Tom Naylor-Leyland, festival director, said: “After the phenomenal turn out last year, we anticipate the best festival yet. The Malton Food Lovers Festival prides itself on its family values and offering fun for the whole family and we are pleased to bring even more activities and events for all ages to enjoy in 2017.”

To find out more about the Malton Food Lovers Festival, visit maltonyorkshire.co.uk.