Foodies turned out in force in Devizes on Saturday for a taste of the exotic as 40 stalls piled high with wares tantalised the taste buds.

The market kick started the week long Devizes Food and Drink Festival and warm weather helped entice people into the centre of town to sample the many different treats on offer.

Organiser Philippa Morgan said: "We had some great feedback from the stallholders and people seemed to really enjoy the buskers.

"We also had a lady doing tricks with her dog which was fun. I think next year we will try and have more entertainment.

"Overall I think we are on track to be even more successful than last year as ticket sales are up. There will definitely be another festival next year."

The festival fun also included an organic dinner at The Bear Hotel on Saturday night with Wiltshire farmer Helen Browning, who is chief executive of the Soil Association, as speaker.

Mrs Morgan said: "Helen was an excellent speaker and very informative. It was also a nice touch that she was going to be on Desert Island Discs the next morning."

On Sunday and Monday evenings people had the chance to try drinking in the dark at The Vaults pub. Landlord Malcolm Shipp said: "Customer were treated to a total blackout experience. A total of 16 people each night were led into the cellar through blackout curtains and seated around tables where they tasted eight different styles of beer plus some food nibbles without the benefit of branding or sight."

Don Jones, chairman of Devizes CAMRA who attended on Sunday evening, said: "It was a great evening, informative and a lot of fun. Hats off to the food festival and the Vaults for doing something a bit different. The beer lovers amongst us had a couple of preconceptions challenged. Those who weren't so keen at the outset now have some food for thought."

The Vaults will also be hosting a hopfest on Friday and Saturday so customers can try 25 of the hoppiest beers and 15 ciders.

The Southgate Pub is also holding a beer festival all weekend from Friday until Monday from noon to midnight with free entry. A barbecue will also be available.

Other events still on the schedule include a number of options this evening including a cookery class and mezze supper at Vaughans Kitchen Cookery School, wines for summer at Majestic Wines, bangers and beer supper at The Southgate and a Bangla banquet at Bengal Bite.

On Friday there is a cocktail evening in the town hall and on Saturday a big breakfast at the Nursteed Centre from 8am to 11pm.

For full details including timings and ticket prices go to devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info/index.php/programme-2015