Waitrose’s sales of forced rhubarb are up 40 per cent on last year, latest sales figures show.

For the week to 9 February 2013, sales increased substantially due to last season’s later start. David Jones, supply chain director at Waitrose, said: “This year we’re supporting the season with in-branch recipes to inspire creativity in the kitchen and to help support British rhubarb growers.”

Meanwhile, Wakefield is holding its annual rhubarb festival this weekend. Running from 22-24 February, the event features TV chefs running cookery demonstrations in the city centre. And local farm shops and producers E Oldroyd & Sons, Rhubarb Triangle Farm Shop, Blackerhall Farm Shop and Farmer Copley’s Farm Shop are providing local produce and supporting the event.

This year there will also be a Deliciously Yorkshire Market, with more than 40 other stalls confirmed.

The event first ran in 2007 and last year welcomed some 80,000 visitors.

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