LUDLOW is set for its biggest weekend of the year.

Thousands of people from the surrounding area, the West Midlands. Welsh Marches and a few from other parts of the UK and overseas will converge upon the town for the Food Festival.

The Festival can attract up to 20,000 into Ludlow over the weekend.

It has put the south Shropshire market town on the international food map and has become a feature of the life of the town for the past quarter of a century.

Last year it did not take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic but is back with the usual mix of exhibitors, trade stands, demonstrations and talks by celebrity chefs and experts from the food and drinks sector.

“This year is all about welcoming visitors back after our enforced two-year long break,” said Hannah James, manager of the Food Festival.

“We are as you left us in 2019, but with new plans and some very exciting evening events. Ludlow Food Festival is and has always been about the food, it remains our focus and we can’t wait to share all the exciting developments we’ve been working on. Support from our volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors and the Friends of Ludlow Food Festival has been overwhelming, we can’t wait to get our Festival Family back together and do what we do best: share the best food and drink from the Marches with the world, all in the stunning surroundings of Ludlow Castle.”

The UK’s first food festival, Ludlow Food Festival was established back in 1995 for local producers from the Marches area.

Ludlow Food Festival is open on Friday 10th September from 10am-5pm, Saturday 11th from 10am-6:30pm, and Sunday 12th from 10am-5pm.

It takes place in the grounds of Ludlow Castle. People visiting are reminded that parking in the town centre is likely to be at a premium.