LAUNCESTON'S festival season kicked off early this year with the new Launceston Family Fun Day in the town square on Saturday.

Cooking demonstratioms, burger building and a variety of food proved a great attraction and got the town buzzing on a cold February day.

Joe Thomson, owner of Firebrand Bar and Restaurant, which organised the event, said: "We set it up to help local people embrace cooking with top notch ingredients and produce properly awesome food at the same time.

"There was plenty for the younger kids, with cake decorating, gingerbread cutting and decorating, pizza making and face painting.

"Older visitors enjoyed chatting about the ingredients and techniques while trying some great street food from Firebrand, Kernowforno, Inkie's Smokehouse, Big Pot Kitchen and Proper Pancakes. There were lots of stalls too from the likes of Fontanella Café, Trewithen Dairy, Grumpies, Deli Farm Charcuterie and No 8 Café."

McQueen's Theatre School performed food-themed songs before launching a flashmob with a Minion to sing and dance to chart hit 'Happy'.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.