A world-renowned Dorset festival which draws thousands of people has been cancelled.

The Dorset Knob Throwing and Frome Valley Food Festival, which celebrates the humble Dorset biscuit, will not happen this year.

Organisers said the the sole manufacturer of the Dorset Knob, Moores Biscuits, would not be providing its famous product, prompting the decision to cancel.

Morecombelake-based Moores would not be drawn on why it was not involved this year, but bosses said the manufacturer would be back on board next year.

The festival, which would have celebrated 11 years this May, has become a favourite fixture in the county’s social calender and draws thousands of people each year.

Last year, the festival moved from its humble home in Cattistock village to the grounds of Kingston Maurward College, after it outgrew the original site.

Last year Moores provided around 2,000 Dorset Knobs for the festival for tasting and games including ‘pin the knob on the Cerne Giant’ and the ‘knob and spoon race.’ 

But a spokesman for the festival committee said Moores bosses had decided not to provide the knobs for the 2018 festival.

The spokesman added although the biscuits could be bought wholesale and the festival could continue without Moores’ involvement – it was not a move they were willing to make.

“We own the rights to the festival name but we really do feel Dorset Knobs belong to Moores and we wouldn’t want to progress without their blessing. Without Moores on side, we don’t feel we can really do it.

“Moores has always provided the biscuits so we have decided we are going to spend this year mending bridges and hopefully it will be resurrected in 2019 at Kingston Maurward,” they said.

The organising committee has seen some changes in the past couple of years.

Long-term committee chairman Nigel Collins stepped down and Katharine Wright, who took the helm in 2016, also stepped down after organising last year’s event.

The festival spokesman said: “As a few people have left we have some gaps to fill and we are going to spend some time refreshing our committee.”

They added when the festival did return it would come back bigger and better than ever.

“We are expanding the festival in all respects. It’s a quintessentially British to have something like this in the county and I understand it is the only food festival in Dorset that is growing,” they said.

Moores managing director, David Winship confirmed the manufacturer would be back on board next year. 

Mr Winship said: “Moores are not involved in the management of the event. The committee running the event and Kingston Maurward College wish to run a first rate event in 2019, building on the success of 2017.

“As in past years Moores will provide the Dorset Knobs for the games and competitions and will run the sampling of Knobs and Blue Vinney Cheese.”

Kingston Maurward College Principal, Luke Rake, said the college very much looked forward to working with the festival committee again for next year’s event.