HOME-GROWN produce took centre stage today at the opening of the York Festival of Food & Drink, with ingredients from regional farmers dominating the menu.

BBC Weatherman Paul Hudson raised the curtain on the ten-day celebration by trying his hand at sausage-making to launch A Local Produce Guide 2003 on behalf of North York Moors National Park.

The new booklet contains details of products from 150 producers in the North York Moors and Howardian Hills who supply a diverse range of food, drink and crafts.

Andy Wilson, chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: "By sourcing products locally we reduce food miles and support local producers, thereby helping to keep the countryside diverse and alive.

"The Continent is renowned for its locally distinctive regional products - this is an attempt to celebrate the regional products that define this part of North Yorkshire."

Much of the produce featuring in today's Evening Press-sponsored Best of British demonstrations was supplied by Farmers' Cart, winners of our Eat Local campaign, and chefs from York hotels cooked up traditional Sunday favourites of lamb, beef and Yorkshire pudding.

A new on-line directory for regional fresh farm produce, www.bigbarn.co.uk/nfusourcedirect, was also showcased and City of York MP Hugh Bayley paid a visit to support the event, which drew 150,000 visitors last year.

York Festival of Food & Drink runs until September 21 and full event listings can be found in the festival programme or on the website www.yorkfestivaloffoodanddrink.com.

Tickets to all festival events are on sale at the Food Theatre in St Sampson's Square and the Tourist Information Centre.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, September 12, 2003