Traders are turning Cleckheaton into foodie heaven with the town's first Suet Day and Yorkshire Pudding Day in a bid to boost trade.

The events been organised by Spenborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce as part of a series of sponsored activities being held each month to draw more shoppers and visitors to the town centre at weekends.

The Suet Day is being held this Saturday as part of the theme of traditional Yorkshire food and ale for March. All this month's events are being sponsored by the Healds Hall Hotel in Liversedge.

Local restaurants, cafes, hotels and pubs have been asked to come up with original recipes and menus using suet.

And suet manufacturer Atora is supplying recipes, fact sheets and samples to give away to the public.

The Yorkshire Pudding Day is on Saturday, March 27, when local eateries are being invited to come up with original recipes and menus for customers.

In addition, on Saturday, March 13, - the eve of Mother's Day - restaurants and cafes are being asked to put on special teas for their customers, especially mums and children.

David Adams, the chamber's area trade co-ordinator, said: "The aim of these events is to promote the local restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels.

"The idea is to show that the hospitality trade in the Spen Valley is quite prepared to put itself out for visitors and guests.

"It is also part of the chamber's efforts to give a boost to local tourism and help put the Spen Valley on the map by showing people it has first-class facilities for tourists and visitors.

"We want as many people as possible to support the events which are part of the chamber's Heartbeat Project to help regenerate the Spen Valley.

Chef John Parr, of the Wickham Arms pub in Cleckheaton, which is taking part in the events, said: "I'm working on a few novel ways to eat Yorkshire Pudding and suet.''

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