MORE than 170 species of fungi, found locally in the space of a few days, were on display at the country's first week-long Festival Of Fungi.

Probably the most popular with visitors were the bright red pixie toadstools, Fly Agaric, found on the Herefordshire side of the Malvern Hills and the Bromyard Downs.

Fungi expert George Spence, of Ledbury, who masterminded the event with his wife, Sheila, said people were fascinated by the number of species on display. "They couldn't believe you could find so many in Herefordshire," he said.

The event attracted 2,500 people, with 400 taking part in the festival walks.

"They were all fully booked. In fact, we could almost have filled them twice over, there was so much interest," said Mr Spence.

"The excitement of finding the most interesting fungi kept everyone on their toes. Everyone was keen to hear, not just about what they could eat, but how and why fungi grow in particular places and about the diversity and wonder of this magical kingdom."

Some of the best specimens of both woodland and grassland species were found in a walk at Hergest Croft, Kington, including a rare pink waxcap, he said.

A photographic competition attracted many high quality entries and hundreds of people attended the exhibitions at Bodenham Parish Hall and the Left Bank, Hereford.

There were exhibition stands from the British Mycological Society, the Association of British Fungus Groups, Mycomiscellany and the Woolhope Club, among others.

Visitors could buy porcelain models of their favourite fungi and kits for growing mushrooms at home.

Other well-attended events included a garden forum at Wyevale Garden Centre, a tour of the Wye Valley Brewery and a fungi bus tour. arranged by Caring For God's Acre, which visited four churchyards.

"We found some excellent grassland species there, including some fairly rare ones," said Mr Spence.

Mrs Spence, who was chairman of the festival, said she was grateful to the walk leaders, and to those who provided funding, including Awards For All, English Nature, Herefordshire Partnership and the British Mycological Society.