A HARVEST festival of food and drink will take over Bingley town centre in an event run independently for the first time by town leaders and traders.

The two-day gourmet spectacular takes place on Friday and Saturday, September 26 and 27 in the market square and will boast some 30 stalls all heaving with fine fare.

And Bingley Chamber of Trade president Howard Martin said the success of last year's event meant they had to turn some would-be traders away.

"It's so popular that we've had more applications for stalls than we've actually got space for, which is a pity," Mr Martin said.

"We will have some 30 stalls selling the very best food and drink from local sources and around the world.

"And we will also have rides and entertainment for children on the Saturday as this is a real family event which we hope will build on last year's success.

"People in Bingley have told us that they wanted it put on again and so here it is.

"Of course we just hope people will support the festival and come along."

The regular Bingley market stalls will be open during the event and Mr Martin said that was a means of promoting what is always on offer.

"The aim is to help revitalise the market and this is the first time the Chamber has been heavily involved in the food festival.

"We are working together with the Bingley Town Centre Steering Group and have organised it ourselves without relying on Bradford Town Council.

"And that means we are in control of it and are able to keep the costs down by doing it all ourselves.

"Previously the council had to pay for its workforce, but this means big savings," Mr Martin said.

Bingley town centre manager Bob Parker said the festival was all part of Bingley's renewal.

"We've had two of these festivals and they have been hugely successful at bringing thousands of new people into the town and also new traders who can come and try the market, see if they like it and hopefully stay.

"It's all about little steps and we really are moving forward in Bingley now," Mr Parker said.

"The Aldi scheme is going ahead, Sainsbury's are demolishing the Bradford and Bingley HQ building, which are both good thing for the town," he said.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's executive member with responsibility for such projects,gave Bingley's food and drink festival her full support.

She said: "The last food festival held in Bingley was really popular so the Chamber of Trade, the Town Centre Manager and local traders have put a huge amount of work in to make sure they can repeat the success.

"It will definitely be worth a visit."