A gala organiser was left with a sour taste in his mouth after he says a pizza company “hijacked” the event by handing out free food.

Neil Hunt, one of the organisers of Horsforth Gala, was flabbergasted – and furious – when the free pizza slices were handed out to crowds.

Now Domino’s Pizzas have apologised for any offence caused and are offering to work with the gala next year and to donate any proceeds to the event. They are also offering to work with other local events or charities.

Mr Hunt said a representative of the company had admitted launching a “commando raid” to hand out the free food in Hall Park on Saturday.

And he argued there were serious issues which made the local pizza parlour’s behaviour unacceptable.

He said: “We run Horsforth Gala on a licence from Leeds City Council which requires all food sales to be notified in advance and monitored with food hygiene and insurance criteria carefully considered. We also have agreements with two catering concessions who pay us to be present.

“Domino’s actions were both a breach of our licence and unfair to the traders who support us year on year.

“We are always looking for commercial support for the gala which barely survives financially. Had we been approached in advance we may have been able to come to an agreement with them, although wholesale sampling would not have been acceptable as it is totally unfair to our regular food concessions.

“Instead, one of the highest profile fast food franchises in the country decided to hijack a community event for its own commercial gain. It leaves a very, very sour taste in my mouth indeed.”

Mr Hunt says he tried to speak to one of the delivery men as he rushed into the park but was brushed aside.

A spokesman for Dimonos said the Horsforth franchisee was new and was very keen to get involved with the local community.

She said: “We certainly never intended to hijack the gala and we apologise for any offence caused. We really did it with the very best interests of the gala at heart and we certainly didn't want to offend anybody – that was completely unintentional.”

She said Domino’s would be happy to work with the gala next year and give them any proceeds.