20,000 due at Ludlow Food Festival

Organisers of the festival, held in Ludlow's medieval castle and around the town, say the weather forecast is good for the event which is expected to pump millions of pounds into the local economy by Sunday.

Foodies from across Britain have booked up local hotels and are set to enjoy a packed gastronomic programme including demonstrations from Michelin-starred chefs and hundreds of stalls selling Shropshire food products.

Festival director Beth Heath said this year's show would be bigger and better than ever, adding the weather forecast looked promising.

She said: "Every year the festival gets bigger and bigger and we have more than 160 stalls spread out throughout the castle.

"We have also expanded outside the castle walls with events taking place throughout the town.

"There has not been research completed recently about how much money the festival generates for the local economy but it will defiantly bring millions of pounds to south Shropshire," she added.

"Our last research for the festival four years ago showed £5 million had been added to the local economy because of the event.

"It's very exciting to get going and it looks like the weather will be great.

"I hope everyone has a great time and would like to take the opportunity to thank more than 120 local volunteers who have sacrificed their time.

"They will be here all weekend and Monday to clear up. Without them this festival would not take place."

Forecasters at the Met Office are predicting wall to wall sunshine in Ludlow over the weekend with temperatures reaching 22C during the day.

The festival was launched 17 years ago by members of Ludlow and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce to help boost local business in the area.

Organisers add it has helped put Ludlow and south Shropshire on the map as the gastronomic heart of England.

For further information visit www.foodfestival.co.uk

By Peter Finch