PREPARATIONS are well underway for the second food and drink festival in Holsworthy.

Building on last year's success, the festival will feature events over three days in Stanhope Park, starting next Thursday.

A food and drink marquee will house a local produce food market, from chutneys to paella, and there will be demonstrations in the live kitchen.

Organiser Jon Hutchings said: "Stanhope Park will be transformed into a mouth-watering family festival site complete with a children's inflatable play zone.

"The food area has an emphasis on local — perhaps not necessarily local taste, but locally-produced, from chutneys to paella.

"There will be demonstrations in our 'live kitchen' and tastings with try before you buy. We want people to taste what's on offer. You will be able to sample foods like local pickles and honeys to Spanish tortillas and meatballs. If you fancy something sweet why not sample some locally produced cakes. There will be sure to be something to excite your tastebuds.

"The main food area will close at 6pm but there will be hot food available into the evening."

Visitors will be able to try 15 different types of ciders, ales and lagers from event sponsors, the Pop-Up Bar Company, while enjoying entertainment until 11pm.

Jon reminds visitors: "Don't forget, included in the entry ticket [£5] is your first drink at the main bar."

The family-friendly event includes a 'kidz play zone'.

"Kids enter for free, accompanied by an adult, but charges do apply for the Kidz Play Zone which will have an assortment of inflatables for all ages. A kid's entry ticket gives them unlimited time in the playzone. In addition this year they have also lined up some exciting events for the Thursday and Friday."

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