IN July each year, local producers, farmers, pubs, restaurants and tourist attractions across the county put on events to celebrate the Hampshire Food Festival.

Organised by the county food group, Hampshire Fare, the festival showcases the area’s local food and farming. Popular events include vineyard and brewery tours, cookery classes and demonstrations, produce markets and tastings, farm tours, cheese-making and more.

Last year’s festival included more than 80 events and attracted 180,000 people to the county whilst creating over £3.25 million in visitor spending.

The success of the festival was recognised at the Beautiful South Awards with a silver award in the Tourism Event of the Year category.

If you are a local business producing or serving local food, drink or craft Hampshire Fare is keen to hear from you. Whether you have an event idea or would like to discuss ways you could be involved contact the food group for more information.

Events need to be organised and hosted by you, and must include food and drink from Hampshire or related local craft in some way. All event ideas are welcome.

To find out more about the Hampshire Food Festival and how you can get involved, log on to hampshirefare.co.uk/food-festival or call Emily Acott on 01962 847098 or email her at emily.acott@hants.gov.uk.

The deadline for entries is April 10.