Dalek at Festival!!!

THOUSANDS of sweet-toothed visitors are expected to flock to Pontefract for a taste of the town's spectacular liquorice festival.

This year's event – that takes place on Saturday and Sunday July 12 and 13 – will include a medieval day at Pontefract Castle. The festival culminates with a spectacular town centre parade, live bands, activities and street entertainment on the Sunday, National Liquorice Day.

Peter Sykes, chairman of Pontefract Liquorice Trust, said: "Over the weekend we are expecting more than 20,000 visitors to Pontefract. "They will be entertained by a fantastic parade and all the market stalls are full so there will be every type of liquorice product you could ever want to buy on sale. "The festival is fun for all the family."

The seventh annual festival was cut back from nine days after vital funding was slashed but organisers pledged to make it their "best ever." Mr Sykes added: "We managed to find funding and the parade was under threat at first it will go ahead. "The street entertainment is all free and it should be a great festival."

A delicious six-foot Dalek – crafted from liquorice by students at Pontefract's NEW College – will also be on display at Pontefract Museum during the festival.

For more details visit www.pontefractliquorice.co.uk or telephone 0845 601835.