Keith Chegwin opens the doors at Whitchurch Food and Drink Festival - with pictures

The presenter welcomed the first foodies into the Whitchurch Food and Drink Festival on Saturday.

Mr Chegwin, who recently moved to Shropshire, says he loves the friendly people in his new home county and was enjoying meeting people at the event.

He said: "It is absolutely lovely, really nice and there is a great turn out.

"I am a bit of a foodie, or more of a piggy. I did Masterchef and was a runner-up so it is more than likely I will be buying a few things to take home.

"I do live in Shropshire now, I moved two months ago but it is lovely. The people are really friendly and there is a slower pace of life.

"But the people really are so friendly and always happy to help out. I was in the pub the other night playing some pool and a guy offered me his cue and even offered to chalk it for me.

"It is a really nice atmosphere.

"I love events like this, I think it is so important to promote local produce and local farmers. All the people here today are so enthusiastic.

"Lots of places have lost that local touch but Whitchurch has managed to keep its local identity and organise vibrant events like this one."

As soon as the doors to the festival in Whitchurch's Civic Centre opened at 10am, crowds of people were already inside, ready to sample tasty, locally produced goods,

It is the third time the festival has been held, organised by the town's Farmer's Market and was expected to attract more than 10,000 people across the two days.

Also attending was Owen Paterson, the Conservative North Shropshire MP who will be fighting to keep his seat in the June 8 General Election and newly elected Mayor of Whitchurch Councillor Tony Neville.

Selling wares at the festival was Caroline Waterhouse from Malpas. She runs Caroline's Pesto, with sauces made from herbs that she grows in the summer months.

She said: "It is a nice local event for us to come down and support. It has been great so far, lots of people have been coming along and trying it, even the children."

Fresh from picking up a Bronze at the British Pie Awards was Andrew Powell of Whitchurch-based Powell's Pies.

He has been attending for three years and says they usually sell out over the course of the weekend.

He said: "It is nice, it is not far for us to come.

"We love going to festivals, you get to go out and meet people."

Enjoying browsing the stalls was Jean and Brian Bennion from Whitchurch, who said they were looking to pick up some of the items on sale.

Jean said: "It is really good, events like this and the Blackberry Fair really bring the town to life."