FOOD and drink producers from across the region will gather at Buckland Abbey in early May for the Tavistock Food and Drink Festival.

Organised by Tavistock Festivals, the event will showcase more than 28 regional producers, many of whom have won regional awards for the quality of their products.

The festival's chairman, Jeffrey Stackhouse, said Tavistock Festivals were not connected with a recent event at Buckland Abbey, which was organised by the Devon organisation, Love The Flavour.

He said the food and drink festival in May would minimise vehicle access and parking problems by running two free bus shuttle services to and from both Plymouth and Tavistock.

'We are also liaising with both the National Trust and local farmers to substantially increase car parking facilities close to the venue for those drivers who choose not to avail themselves of the bus shuttle.

'We are so lucky with our May venue. The Great Barn is to be the principal venue, which can only be described as stunning.

'We are going to install additional lighting systems inside the Great Barn to ensure that our visitors will be able to fully appreciate the exhibitor's products as well as the interior of the Great Barn itself.'

The festival will take place on May 1 and 2 at the Great Barn at Buckland Abbey.

Admission to the festival will be £2 per adult with accompanied children under 16 free.

The entry charge for unaccompanied children will be £2 each.

The admission charge includes entry into the grounds of Buckland Abbey, and visitors will be given a venue map on entry to help them find their way around.