FINE local produce, top chefs and tips on how to grow your own fruit and veg were among the attractions at the Monmouthshire Food Festival held at Caldicot Castle over the weekend.

Hundreds of visitors were at the castle to see cookery demonstrations and to chat to — and buy from — producers with lots on offer from beers and ciders to fine cheeses.

The festival was also raising money for Care for Casualties which helps injured soldiers from 1 Rifles at Beachley and their families.

There is another opportunity to help boost the total with an auction of meat left over from a demonstration by master butcher Adrian Walker who is based near Abergavenny.

Festival organiser Charlotte Greig said: "It's been an incredible weekend, particularly on Saturday when the weather was better.

"Numbers are certainly up on the last festival and there's been a real buzz around the festival."

Among the chefs demonstrating their skills were Chris Harrod of the Michelin-starred Whitebrook near Monmouth.

He was joined on stage by Henry Ashby, a Chepstow-based forager, who supplies restaurants with herbs and leaves picked in meadows in the Wye Valley and the foreshore at Beachley.

Also on hand was the Incredible Edible Caldicot project which aims to bring neglected and spare land into use for growing food.

There are sites around Caldicot and lettuces growing in the town centre are ready to pick.

Kate Edwards from Incredible Edible Caldicot said: "The project has been very successful. We've not had any problems with vandalism.

"We're here showing how little space you need to be able to grow your own vegetables."

There are also plans to create a community farm in the town if sufficient land can be found.

Monmouthshire Food Festival returns to the castle in October. To get involved in the charity auction search online for Monmouthshire Food Festival or its Facebook page.