A FOOD lovers heaven will be held this March as the third Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and Arts takes place.

Being staged on Saturday March 5, the annual event is the first of the season's food festivals and is a true celebration of spring.

Last year, the event was a huge success, with more than 60 exhibitors and 2,500 visitors, and this year's festival will be bigger and better, with around 100 exhibitors and an additional art element.

The stalls will be selling all manner of local produce — from bread to olives, and wine to puddings —from as close as the next street and as far afield as Cornwall.

The guest chef this year will be Michelin starred chef Michael Caines MBE from Gidleigh Park, who will be giving cooking demonstrations along side other well known local chefs in the Riverford Kitchen.

There will also be music throughout the day and into the night, and art demonstrations and exhibits on a 'Secret Studios' art trail around the town.

The festival was launched in 2009 and is organised by the Moretonhampstead Business Association with the aim of promoting local food suppliers and producers.

The festival will run from 10am until 6pm, with stalls running the length of Cross Street.