ORGANISERS of the Devizes Food & Drink Festival have toasted success after a week of foodie fun.

Festival chairman Philippa Morgan said numbers for the market were up by 50 per cent on the previous year as more family fun was added to the entertainment.

She said: "The weather helped but I have heard people say that they went for an hour and stayed for five. The music, seating and wider choice of food helped I'm sure."

The committee is now taking a rest before they start all over again for 2017. Mrs Morgan said: "That's another year over for the Devizes Food & Drink Festival. It's time for the Committee to relax and recharge the batteries.

"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part this year. Particular thanks to Devizes Books, to our main sponsor Martin Walker, to all the restaurants, cafes and pubs who hosted events and to all our volunteers and helpers.

"We are always looking for more people to get involved so, if anyone is interested in getting involved anyway, please contact us via our website or Facebook page."

The date for next year's festival has already been set as May 13 to 21.

One of the final events of the festival was a prohibition cocktail evening held at the town hall. Mrs Morgan said: "Everyone really rose to the theme and dressed the part. It was a bit like Guys and Dolls but without the singing. The cocktails on offer included the Tikky Peeky, a Cuba Libre and the English Garden. There was much sampling and, presumably, a few sore heads on Saturday morning."

She thanked Mayor Jane Burton and her husband Richard for joining in the fun.

The Black Swan used a Argentinian hogget roast on Saturday to launch its new outdoor bar and seating area but wet weather was not in its favour.

The festival warned on its website about roadworks causing evening closures to Long Street but Mrs Morgan did not think it affected numbers attending events.