MORE than 400 people were drawn to Beaworthy last week for the Ruby Country Partnership's first celebration of local food and drink.

The successful event, staged with the help of the 'Love the Flavour' Food & Drink Devon member organisation at the Cookworthy Forest Centre, offered visitors the chance to taste and buy a wide variety of produce including meats, vegetables, soups, sauces, preserves, honey, chocolates, cakes, wine, fruit juices and cordials and cider.

Professional singer and district and county councillor, Barry Parsons, welcomed and entertained visitors to the show.

Richard Reid, Ruby Country volunteer, was delighted with how the free event turned out.

He said: 'A huge effort by the team of volunteers at Ruby Country has made this a very special and exciting day for all the community to enjoy.'

Linda Davis of West Lake Farm Cider and Juices and a key event co-ordinator said: 'I was pleased that so many local people came to savour the show in glorious sunshine.

'The event was only made possible by the enthusiasm of the local food and drink producers, community effort, Food and Drink Devon and funding from the Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund, Devon Renaissance and local authorities, including West Devon Borough Council.'

Su Beswick, Food & Drink Devon network co-ordinator said: 'There was an interesting mix of local customers and trade enquiries and the producers taking part also were able to develop leads and contacts through the business networking opportunity which hopefully will lead to long term sales development.'