THE long-awaited continental street market will once set up shop on The Grove this week as the summer festivities continue.

Continental delicacies will be served up alongside traditional Yorkshire fare for three days beginning tomorrow, accompanied by a selection of live music performed nearby from the bandstand. The market was one of the hits of last year's Ilkley Summer Festival.

This year up to 35 traders from France, Belgium, Germany and Holland are expected, selling such treats as French bread, Dutch cheeses, German sausages and Belgian chocolates.

There will also be some home-grown food on offer, as local businesses sell local specialities including pies, cheeses and meats from a marquee on The Grove.

Northern food will also be celebrated at Booths supermarket on Leeds Road, where specialist firms from across the North of England will supply unusual cordials, ales and dishes using all kinds of native ingredients.

The street market will be open from 9.30am each day, until 9pm, except for Sunday, when the market will close at 6pm.

Live music set to take to The Grove to accompany the street market includes performances from 5pm tomorrow by Five Dollar Shoes, plus twice winner of the Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts Pop Star contest, and television's junior Stars in Their Eyes finalist, Naomi Murray.

An Oompah band will take to the bandstand on Saturday afternoon, while jazz provided by Jazzmundo, Jazz Company and Marty Clement will accompany Sunday's market from midday to 6pm.

Festival-goers are invited to start the weekend on Friday evening by taking along a picnic to enjoy the music on The Grove.

Ilkley Summer Festival chairman Councillor Anne Hawke-sworth said: "The continental street market looks like being a big hit with shoppers and visitors to the town. Many traders are returning after sampling the hospitality and buzz of last year's market."

There will also be face painting, balloon modelling, and arts and crafts stands for children.

Another family day out - this time for the family pet, too - is on offer at Darwin Gardens Millennium Green, Wells Road, on Saturday, with the Doggy Day at Darwin Gardens.

The day of fun will feature displays by the Best Friends dog training team, competitions for visitors' own dogs, and the visit of Ember, the canine star of ITV's Pup Idol television show.

For a 20p a class fee, dog owners can enter their pets in fun competitions including the Waggiest Tail, Dog in Best Condition, Obstacle Race, Best Trick and other classes. Prizes are sponsored by Pampered Pets of Church Street in Ilkley.

There will also be some training tips and dog behaviour advice, plus refreshments in offer. The Doggy Day runs from 2pm to 5pm.

The festival picks up its musical theme again with a concert by the multi-talented Simeon Wood at Christchurch. Huddersfield-born Mr Wood has nine solo albums to his name, and performs at venues all over the world, ranging from churches to cruise ships.

He plays Celtic whistle, didgeridoo, panpipes, flute and bass flute in his trademark blend of Celtic, classical, jazz and folk music. The concert begins at 7.30pm.

Christchurch will also be the venue for a children's holiday club from August 16 to 20.

The next in the summer festival's series of guided walks will explore Roman Ilkley on Wednesday August 19. The free walk, lasting up to 90 minutes, will be led by John Cockshott. Walkers are asked to meet at the Manor House Museum, Castle, Yard, Ilkley, at 2pm.

For more information on Ilkley Summer Festival events, or to book tickets for concerts, call in at Ilkley Tourist Information Centre, Station Road, or telephone (01943) 602319.