FOOD lovers are set for a treat, as Bridport's annual food festival begins this weekend.

The popular Bridport Food Festival is set to begin this Sunday, with some changes to the format to allow for social distancing rules.

This year's event has been extended further than its traditional one week span, running from Sunday until Friday, June 25 in a two week celebration of the best food and drink in the area.

The first week of the festival is dedicated to promoting the town’s hospitality, with the spotlight being shone on local food and drink businesses with restaurants, cafes and pubs throughout the town putting on special menus alongside a number of other activities.

Kathy Dare, chair of the Bridport Local Food Group - which organises the festival - said: "We are immensely proud to be able to hold a Covid-safe Bridport Food Festival this year and thank the Bridport Town Council for their invaluable help in making this possible.

"We are also very grateful for the continued support of our loyal sponsors - without their financial help the event would not be able to go ahead.

"Throughout the fortnight food & drink businesses are putting together festival dishes/menus and there is a host of other food and drink related events to take part in and enjoy."

She added: "Despite the restrictions that are still in place and not being able to hold the food festival in the same format as usual we are confident that it will still be a true celebration of everything delicious in and around Bridport.

Instead of the week culminating at Asker Meadows - where traditionally the Bridport Food Group would join up with the Bridport Round Table for the Food and Beer Festival - there will be a free open-air food & drink market held on Saturday, June 19 on the Millennium Green.

The Festival Food & Drink Market will run from 9am until 5pm, with more than 30 local food & drink producers and traders, along with street food to go, offering a whole raft of delicious food and drink for people to try and buy.

The round table will be operating a 'beer gazebo' and the Bridport Local Food Group will be running their popular festival tea room. There will be also be a large picnic area on the green, a raffle and live music for entertainment.

The last Bridport Food Festival went ahead in 2019 and saw more than 60 local food and drinks businesses come together to host a day of free food, drink and activities.

For more information on the proceedings over the next two weeks, visit www.bridportfoodfestival.co.uk/