A gastronomic celebration of the Westcountry's finest food and drink has been hailed a "great" success after it finished an 11th year in Exeter.
Around 16,000 people turned-out to the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink held at Exeter Castle and Northernhay Gardens over the past three days.
It was unable to eclipse last year's record-breaking 10th anniversary festival when actress Caroline Quentin took part in a cookery demonstration with chef Michael Caines.
And festival organisers admitted they were "surprised" by the numbers of people who did attend, after two out of the three days saw heavy showers and strong winds.
Derek Phillips, chairman of the festival, said: "Overall it's been a great success. We were concerned that numbers would be way down on last year due to the inclement weather. But it's been fantastic to see numbers actually hold-up well, in spite of the rain.
"Yesterday we saw 6,500 people attend, and all three After Dark parties have been very popular. The exhibitors are over-the-moon with their own sales that have beaten last year."
Large crowds of people attended the festival on each of the three days to sample locally-produced food from around the region.
Councillor Paul Bull, who represents the Cowick Ward of Exeter City Council, wrote on Twitter: "Just passed someone who said 'I literally am in Heaven' at #Exeter @ExeterFoodFest > can't disagree."
More than 100 Westcountry producers and 30 top chefs came together for the event that included live cookery demonstrations, workshops, dozens of food stalls and a live music stage.
Last year the festival saw 20,000 people attend, with 75 per cent of visitors from outside Exeter, 40 per cent from outside Devon and 29 per cent from outside the South West.
Mr Caines, MBE, founder and organiser of the food festival, said: "It is right that we celebrate here in Exeter all that's great and all that's wonderful about the region."
