TORRENTIAL rain did not put off the thousands who flocked to the Festival of Fine Food and Drink at Eastnor Castle at the weekend.

Karen Davies, chief executive of Heart of England Fine Foods, which organised the festival, said she had feared the worst.

"It rained solidly both days," she said. "It is incredible so many people turned up despite the weather.

"We haven't finished calculating the figures as yet but we think the attendance was around 3,000, an increase of 65 per cent on last year.

"People had come from as far afield as Sussex and Surrey just for the festival. They bought a lot of local produce, and were genuinely interested in what was on offer."

Attractions at the festival ranged from various local culinary delights offered up by 48 different regional producers to top-class live cookery displays.

"James Martin, the celebrity chef, came and did three spots on the Sunday," said Mrs Davies.

"We could have allocated twice as many tickets for the demos as the 160 we had available.

"We also had demonstrations from Judy Goodman, of Goodman's Geese, and Holly Jones, who among other things, cooked the winning recipe in our schools competition.

"Children from primary schools all had to devise their ideal school dinner, using local produce," she explained.

"It was a chance to get them to think about nutrition, and where food actually comes from."

The winning entry was concocted by nine-year-old John Morris, of Eardisley Primary School. His recipe of Wye salmon fishcakes followed by caramelised pear tart was realised in style on the cookery stage.

"We want to expand the competition next year by making sure all the primary and secondary schools in the area know about it," Mrs Davies said.

"We have got to start educating children as well as adults, especially as Home Economics is no longer part of the curriculum."

She paid tribute to staff and management of Eastnor Castle, for helping make the event a resounding success.