THOUSANDS of fans braved the elements to enjoy local food and entertainment at the Great Malvern Food Festival.

The festival, in the Malvern Priory churchyard, played host to more than 60 stalls on Monday with food from crepes to Caribbean tastes on offer and more than 5,000 people estimated to have attended despite the soggy weather.

Amongst the cooks sharing his recipes was Matt Slocombe of the Crown Inn, Woolhope, near Ledbury, which has been named one of the best British venues for Sunday lunches.

Steve Boffy, one of the organisers of the festival said: "We think the number of people this year has increased slightly on the 5,000 last year.

"There was a great atmosphere amongst the traders and punters, despite the weather.

"For a free festival there is such a lot of choice, with all of the traders local.

"The amount of great smells around from crepes, to Caribbean food, to Middle Eastern is great."

Lizzie Hughes, of Malvern-based Our Lizzie cooking school, hosted demonstrations throughout the day, displaying how to make vegan fine fare from healthy beans and pulses, as well as seasonal produce grown locally.

Pupils from Malvern St James School showed off their culinary prowess and Matthew Lloyd of the Fabulous Cob Oven Company, hosted a do-it-yourself kids’ pizza party.

Peter Cook also showcased his award-winning bread recipes.

As well as the range of food, live music came from Second Line, fusing classic jazz with pop, rock funk and soul hits, and from Malvern Rock Choir, before chef and street entertainer Mark Abbott provided some light entertainment.

Amongst the producers showcasing their wares were the Handmade Scotch Egg Company, Urban Herbs, Tiggs Dressings, the Friday Beer Company, Teme Vale Victuallers and Elgar Wines.