MORE than 40 local food and drink producers will be showcasing their goods at a free food and drink festival being held in West Devon next month.

The event, which will be opened by the mayor of the borough, Cllr Alison Clish-Green, will take place at Buckland Abbey near Yelverton on February 17.

The festival, being held during half-term, is designed to cater for all the family, with cookery demonstrations by top local chefs, entertainment for children and free access to the abbey's grounds and trails.

There will be a wide variety of produce available to taste and buy, including cheeses, chutneys, jams, breads, cakes, meats and patés, plus juices, ciders, beers and wines.

The event, open between 10.30am and 4.30pm, is being organised by Food and Drink Devon. Robin Deitch, network co-ordinator, said: 'The recent food and drink festival at the Two Bridges Hotel was a great success with more than 1,600 visitors, benefiting all the producers with many new sales leads.

'These events are a great opportunity to network and show how important local food is to the region.'

Cllr Alison Clish-Green said: 'This is yet another chance to celebrate the wonderful range of products available in West Devon and to recognise the importance of this sector to our local economy.'

The food festival is open to the public and commercial buyers and could be particularly useful to hotels, bed and breakfast businesses and restaurants in the area as a source for new products.

Food and Drink Devon offer business support and training opportunities to small scale local food and drink producers throughout the county. It is funded by Greater Dartmoor LEAF, local district councils and the South West Regional Development Agency, among others.