THOUSANDS of taste-testing foodies descended on a Colchester beauty spot over the weekend to gobble up some delicious delights.   

Colchester Food and Drink Festival, which is the biggest of its kind in the region, kicked-off in Lower Castle Park on Saturday before concluding on Sunday afternoon.

The joyous extravaganza saw guests sample mouth-watering bites to eat from a range of stalls while also gulping down a whole host of thirst-quenching beverages.  

The all-day occasion, which guests very much still had an appetite for even 18 years on, also played host to the Pikestaff Inn real ale bar, offering ciders and lagers.  

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Drinkers were also able to purchase a four-pint ‘growler’ made-up of the event's range of wonderful ales to either drink onsite or take home with them. 

Attendees looking to commemorate a special milestone, such as a recent proposal or exam result were able to do so with a glass of bubbly at the cork-popping Prosecco bar. 

For those keen on seeing how the wonderful grub they were purchasing is prepared, there were also live demonstrations led by experienced and talented chefs. 

The two-day celebration of all things was soundtracked by an array of top performers, including Karat Duo, Black Cat Bone, Fat Pigeon and the Fraser Morgan band. 

Lianne Kaye, Jay Foley, Ady Johnson, Loxley's Corner and The Rezidents also played sets for the munching masses across the weekend. 

Don Quinn, one of the organisers of the Colchester Food and Drink Festival, said: “We have had a magnificent selection of stallholders this year. 

“It has absolutely roared, and I think we have had some 7,000 people here over the weekend, so I am delighted," he said.

“The atmosphere has been spectacularly good - the hot sun does help, of course, but we always go for a nice, calm, easy and happy event. 

“We did do an event during the coronavirus pandemic and we made it work but it was difficult, whereas this one has been rocking. 

“We have had salsa acts, choirs and terrific bands and more than 138 stalls - I tried Sri Lankan dumplings and chickpeas and ate my way through as much of the food as I could.”