FUN will be on the menu when the annual Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival gets under way later this month.

St George's Square will be the main venue for the four-day gastronomic extravaganza, organised by the Huddersfield Town Centre Association.

Kirklees Mayor Clr Barbara Allonby will officially open the event at 11.30am in the square on Thursday, August 28.

The first attraction will be a cookery competition featuring BBC Look North presenters Christa Ackroyd and Ian White - helped by chefs from The Keys Coffee House in Kirkgate and the Sole Mio in Imperial Arcade.

The culinary contest will take place in a specially-created 80-seater cookery demonstration theatre which forms the centrepiece of the festival.

Julia Lilof, a spokeswoman for Huddersfield Town Centre Management, said: "The competition will be the first of more than 20 free demonstrations running hourly throughout the festival.

"The demonstration will show a wide variety of skills, ranging from the cookery talents of the best local chefs to the skills of cocktail makers and flower arrangers.

"Other attractions in St George's Square will include a farmers' market, selling everything from specialist sausages and local pickles to pastries, preserves and ice creams, as well as real ales, wine and cider."

Other attractions will include an open-air food court, providing the chance for shoppers to try delicacies from around the world.

Bouncy castles, face painting and Punch and Judy will all be on hand to keep the kids happy.

Two evening tasting events with live music will also be held in the cookery demonstration theatre.

Friday night will see a real ale and cider tasting with a barbecue.

Saturday's events will feature English wines and a free finger buffet provided by the George Hotel.

Entry to both evening events is by ticket only. They cost £5 each.

A children's party will be held in St Peter's Gardens on Friday, with magic tricks and music from the Singing Chef.

The festival, which runs from August 28 to Sunday, August 31, will feature many fringe venues throughout the town.

Tickets and further information are available from Town Centre Management on 01484 226586.

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