BLUE skies and the picturesque setting of Eastnor Castle provided the perfect aperitif for a festival of culinary delights sampled by thousands last weekend.

The two-day Festival of Food and Drink was organised by Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF) and brought together some of the regions finest producers of baked goods, confectionery, beverages, condiments, dairy produce, fresh produce, meat, poultry and game.

Good weather and some original advertising, flown over the M5 behind an aeroplane, brought in around 3,200 people over Saturday and Sunday (October 5 and 6). They were able to shop, sample, and watch cookery demonstrations from experts including members of the Ready Steady Cook team.

Lynn Wood, project officer at HEFF said: "It went really well, we were very pleased. Numbers were well up on last year and the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

"We had an awful lot of feedback from those that were there who had a good day out. It's a lovely venue, the castle looked absolutely stunning, it was blue sky all weekend."

Among those exhibiting were Zaz and Keith Knight of Knight's Cider, in Storridge, cidermakers for almost 30 years.

Mrs Knight said she was very pleased at how the event had gone.

"I was there for the two days, we don't do a lot of promotional shows but I thought it was very well organised and very well attended. The weather made a lot of difference."

Ben Leeke, of Eastnor Castle, said the event also helped to promote the landmark to the public.

"It's great to have such a high-profile food and drink event in the castle, they are very good in supporting the name of Eastnor Castle," he said.

"They carry a terrific reputation and that helps us in the quest to keep it in the forefront of people's minds as a quality venue."