THE self-styled World Capital of Watercress honours the green salad crop with its annual festival this Sunday.

Alresford will be taken over by the plant as more than 10,000 people are expected in the town.

Organisers promise family attractions and mouth-watering treats ranging from soup and cakes, to watercress ice cream, watercress beer, even watercress-flavoured gin.

The day starts at 10am with live music and food and craft stalls selling their wares.

At 10.30am a cavalcade brings Broad Street to a standstill as the traditional horse and cart carrying the Watercress King and Queen hand out the superfood to festival goers, followed by a procession of Morris dancers, musicians and schoolchildren.

In the afternoon World Watercress Eating Championships is not to be missed, when contestants will attempt to have their name listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Another attractios will be cookery demonstrations by local chefs, Andy MacKenzie, from Lainston House Hotel, Phil Yeomans, from Marwell Hotel; Daniel Chirita and Shunji Irokawa from Kyoto Kitchen; and Chris Barnes and Tom Watson from the Hoddington Arms.

The NFU Watercress Association is the principal sponsors and will have knowledgeable people on their stand to talk about the history, health benefits, the growing and harvesting of watercress.

The festival is free to attend; there is a charge for parking at the Alresford car parks or at the Park and Ride at Ropley.

The event which runs from 10am to 4pm is also sponsored by Alresford Chamber of Commerce, Alresford Town Council, Hampshire Farmers Market and a host of community groups.

The festival signals the start of National Watercress Week, and celebrates the start of the UK season.