FOODIES were head over heels with glee when circus students brought their touch of magic and exuberance to a festival market in Devizes on Saturday.

Grey skies did not prevent people turning out in force for the market which for many is the highlight of Devizes Food and Drink Festival. Stalls selling food of all descriptions from chocolate to crepes and Scotch eggs to pizza meant families could eat their way around the globe without leaving the centre of the Wiltshire town.

Wonderful aromatic smells from dishes representing different continents drew people to sample the street food on offer.

But an added treat was an appearance by Circomedia provided by Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts. The students from Bristol livened up the proceedings with acrobatics, daring stunts and comedy.

A spokesman for the arts group, which organises Devizes Carnival and the International Street Festival in August, said: "What a great day was had in Devizes as Circomedia provided entertainment as they burst out of their studios and onto the streets to present a high energy day of jaw dropping of circus, inventive theatre and pure entertainment.

"They are 35 young performers who are just embarking on their professional journeys and are the new generation of street theatre artists."

Food and Drink Festival chairman Philippa Morgan said she was delighted with turn out for the festival market. She said: "We had another fantastic and very popular Market this year. Traders offered a range of different foods from around the world including Persian, Mexican, Indian and Moroccan street food.

"We also had a number of stalls selling vegetarian and vegan food as well as many gluten free options. I talked to one family of four who were delighted with the choice that was on offer as two of them were vegetarians and one was a coeliac. They said how great it was to be have so much choice at a festival.

"For entertainment, there was live music featuring local musicians Kirsty Clinch and Eddie Witcombe with the ever popular Radstock-based Cleverly Brothers finishing the day. To keep the kids amused, we had a Punch and Judy Man. The Lions' human fruit machine team also captivated much attention.

There is still the chance to enjoy a number of other food and drink events before the festival ends on Saturday. An extra session has been added to for the Regency Supper evening and this will be held at The Bistro in the Little Brittox this evening (18). But a Regency cooking class that would have been held at Vaughan's Cookery School has been cancelled.

Tomorrow (19) a Taste Of Adventure cocktail evening will be held at the town hall from 7.30pm and Mussel Madness at Times Square from 7pm.

On Saturday at The Farm Cookery School, Netherstreet there will be the chance for adults and children to learn how to make their own burgers from 11am to 3pm.

An Argentinian barbecue planned for the Black Swan on Saturday has been cancelled but an Italian supper will be held complete with live singing will be held at the Rowdey Cow, Rowde from 7pm to 7.30pm.