A FOOD festival celebrating the best of the county has kicked off.

Food producers and food lovers gathered at Newlyns Farm Shop near Hook on Thursday, 13 June to officially launch the month-long Hampshire Food Festival 2019.

The festival runs from July 1-31 and is organised by food group Hampshire Fare, which looks to raise the profiles of the food and drink in the county.

The preview event was an opportunity for guests to talk to producers and sample their food and drink.

There was also a chance to listen to talks from Gorilla Spirits, Lyburn Cheese, Hampshire Cheese and Gospel Green Cyder.