ORGANISERS of the Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and the Arts have announced some of the events planned to run through the festival.

The festival, which celebrates the best of local food, drink and arts, has grown since the first one four years ago — 7,000 people attended the event last year.

Highlights this year, on Saturday, March 9, include a special demonstration on how to make traditional Drovers Pie by chef Matthew King from the White Hart Hotel.

Historian Paul Cleave will give a lively talk on the history of Moretonhampstead, which dates back over 1,000 years to Saxon times.

Children and adults alike can learn how to make healthy bread at baking workshops, teaching youngsters how to make dough. The adult master classes will run throughout the day with Roger Birt of Red Dog Bakery.

The 'Made on Dartmoor' short film competition, sponsored by Bovey Castle, is new to the 2013 festival and is looking to highlight the talent and creativity of local filmmakers.

Potential filmmakers are invited to write, shoot and edit a video no longer than 90 seconds that features food-related people, animals or products, all of which either work, are grown or produced within the confines of the Dartmoor National Park.

To enter by March 4 or find out more, visit the festival website http://www.moretonfestival.com">www.moretonfestival.com

Green Hill Arts Centre will host the local open art show, providing a vibrant platform for visual artists and craft makers from the area. The show runs from Wednesday, February 13 to the festival day on March 9.

From 10am to 4pm, Moretonhampstead Parish Church will host live music from bands, including With Nell and I, The Crooked Roots, and Moretonhampstead female community choir, The Moorhens.

On top of all that there will be more than 100 stalls, cooking demonstrations taking place across the festival, and there will be lots of activities for children, including face-painting and dedicated entertainment.

The festival will be opened by Michelin starred chef Michael Caines, who has been a long-term advocate of the event.

Entry to the festival, sponsored by Helpful Holidays, is free.