Food festival serves up plenty of treats in South Shields

The annual Proper Food and Drink Festival event has been taking place at Bents Park since 2012, giving opportunities for local suppliers to sell their produce

Dozens of North East food producers, brewers, butchers, distillers, bakers and chefs will have their produce showcased this weekend, with thousands of hungry visitors expecting to pop along.

Chris Baines, who runs Stateside Treat Emporium, which makes American inspired chocolates, didn't have far to travel to sell his wares.

He said: "I love this festival as I live just over the road from it.

"Last year I sold well over 500 bars of chocolates, so I'm hoping for the same level of interest this year.

"Our most popular flavour is maple bacon, that always goes first."

Karen Halliday, who owns cupcake company Sprinkled, with business partner Christian Chance, has made over 1600 cakes for the three-day event.

She said: "We come along every year, it just keeps getting bigger and better.

"We always sell out, last year we had a never ending queue for six hours - it was brilliant.

"It;s lovely that the community gets behind this festival and people come along to support it."

Jean Trewhitt, of Brickyard Baker, which is based in Guisborough, was all set for the crowds.

She said: "We're well prepared, we have all sorts of baked goods.

"Our scones are always the first to go through, they're the most popular."

James Greenwood, 62, from Whitburn, paid an early morning visit with his grandson Jack, four.

He said: "I always make a point of coming along every year, now I bring the grandson.

"I've promised him some sweets and pancakes, so I'm hoping there will be some on offer."