MALTON is celebrating its most successful year as a food tourism destination following £100,000 of investment by the town’s Community Interest Company (CIC).

Malton Amenity CIC, which was set up in 2011, works with and for the community of Malton, Norton and the surrounding area and is responsible for running the annual Malton Food Lovers Festival.

From October 1, 2016, to September 30, 2017, the CIC has invested £100,000 in the town, funded primarily by donations from Fitzwilliam Malton Estate and The Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust.

The CIC has also supported a number of local charities and causes with nearly £10,000 donated to various groups. The CIC also provides free parking in the Market Place, an initiative which cost the CIC £30,000 in 2016/17.

Malton celebrated its most successful Food Lovers Festival last year, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors, while Street Food Sundays were launched last June.

Tom Naylor Leyland, director of Malton CIC, said: “Malton is demonstrating just how a community can come together to drive the continuous development, enhancement and prosperity of a town. It’s fantastic to look back on 2016/17 and all the positive work that the community has achieved to position Malton as one of the UK’s most desirable food destinations.

Mark Brayshaw, Malton CIC’s projects and developments manager, added: “Malton is a thriving market town thanks to the support of local residents who invest in the town all year round, the tens of thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the wares and fares being produced here and the incredible array of businesses and artisan producers choosing to operate in Malton.

“The CIC supports a range of initiatives in town and we look forward to helping the community build on the town’s success in 2018.”