A special preview event for Huddersfield’s annual Food and Drink Festival has had to be cancelled.

The Taste Trail, which was to feature Huddersfield restaurants, should have taken place this weekend, days before the festival launch on August 6.

But organisers were able to secure only four restaurants to take party and needed at least eight.

But the Huddersfield Partnership, who are behind this year’s festival, are confident the event will be the biggest yet, having attracted more than 100 businesses to take part.

They are planning the 15th Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival which will be held in St George’s Square from August 6 to 9 and also includes a special “Food Avenue” in Northumberland Street.

Partnership manager Karen Hobson said: “It’s obviously very disappointing that the Taste Trail will not take place.

“We had approached many restaurants asking them to be part of it and four had agreed, but we needed eight to make it work so sadly have had to cancel it. Many said it did not suit their needs.

“People did not have to book, simply turn up on the day, so there is no issue about cancellations.

Hayley MacDonald (left) and Karen Hobson prepare for the 15th food festival

“It is unfortunate but we expect the Festival itself to be the biggest yet.

“We are busy making last-minute preparations for the event and have had to make some tweaks. We had planned to use Byram Street but that is not possible so our Food Avenue will be in Northumberland Street, below the Square.

“We have more than 100 traders taking part and there is a lot of diversity there this year. We have Russian foods and Spanish foods as well as the usual Indian, Italian and English, so it should be very attractive.

“We are determined to make it the best yet”..

The Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival is the largest free event of its kind, attracting in the region of 100,000 visitors in 2014.

The emphasis will again be on local and regional traders, promoting the Yorkshire gems of the food industry as well as supporting local entrepreneurs, just starting out on the road of business.