An estimated 25,000 visitors descended on the town for the fourth Alnwick Food Festival extravaganza, organised by Alnwick Lions Club.

With everything on offer from home-made cheese and hand-grown chillis to fudge, meat and muffins, there was something to tantalise all taste-buds.

With such a huge success some stalls even sold out over the weekend, with Sarah Marley from Delicious Catering having to make extra produce on Saturday night.

She said: "We went back once during the day on Saturday to get extra stock and then made more on the night. We've had a really good time, its been fun."


Special guest, Sean Wilson, Coronation Street's Martin Platt and his family also enjoyed the festivities of the weekend.

Sean said: "It was brilliant, we've all had a really good time."

Packed out audiences tickled their taste buds with cookery demonstrations in the Northumberland Hall from top chefs including Richard Sim, former executive chef at Alnwick Garden, Fat Lad Cooks Martin Hutton and Bob Kitching from Leagram Organic Dairy, who turned a gallon of milk into cheese in half an hour.

Bob said: "The food festival has been exceptional and the hospitality has been phenomenal. From 9am to 4pm trade has flooded in and there has been a terrific atmosphere all weekend long."

Chilli Rich, from the Little Green Men chilli company also gave a demonstration and his chilli stall in the Market Place certainly turned up the heat, he said: "The food festival was hot! It's been the best one of the year, it's a fantastic place, great accommodation and lovely weather."

And the Guerilla Kitchen caused a stir in the Market Place popping up throughout the weekend for a spot of impromptu cooking.

On Sunday, Sean Wilson joined Martin Hutton and his barrow, cooking scallops three different ways to a salivating audience.

Martin Hutton said: "Year on year it is amazing to see how something so special can become more special. It's a real testament to the people who organise it.

"I've already got some new ideas to take the Guerilla Kitchen to the next level for next year."

Food festival chairman, Don Watson said: "This year's festival was our biggest and busiest yet. It was a fantastic atmosphere with a brilliant, buzzing market and it was good to see a sunny break in the bad weather we've been having. We have received compliments from visitors and stallholders alike.

"I'd like to thank all the event supporters, especially Sainsbury's, our main sponsor."

Sainsbury's staff gave tasters of Ecclefechan Tarts and other Taste the Difference produce, as well as handing out free Bags for Life, from a stall in the Market Place.

Debra Thurley, store manager at Alnwick said: "In a nutshell, the food festival was a tremendous success from our perspective."

First time exhibitor at the festival, Spicymonkey, really enjoyed the weekend. Owner Ian Nixon said: "It has been brilliant for us.

"We've had a great time.