MARLBOROUGH Food and Drink Festival had all the right ingredients for a great weekend as thousands of foodies descended on The Common for the event.

The rain held off on both Saturday and Sunday for the town's second Food and Drink Festival which welcomed Great British Bake Off contestant Cathryn Dresser, TV presenter Stefan Gates and son of chef Rick Stein, Jack who is taking over the family empire.

On Saturday afternoon Jack, who also oversees the Padstow Seafood School, dazzled the audience in the Chef’s Kitchen followed by Cathryn, who came fifth in series three of the Bake Off who shared her bakery skills.

On Sunday the audience was wowed by Gastronautlive presenter Stefan, who has appeared on shows including Full on Food and Incredible Edibles, who introduced science into the kitchen and served up a dish of locusts.

John Rhodes, director of Garden Events Company which organises the event, said: “Jack Stein was really popular, the Kitchen theatre was packed.

“There was a lot of interest in Stefan Gates as well on the Sunday with his locusts and talking about how taste buds work.

“I didn’t get to see Cathryn Dresser but I was told she went down very well.”

As well as cookery demonstrations, local companies including Bush Farm Bison from Bradford on Avon, Circle Cider from Swindon, Liquorice Heaven from Chippenham and Gastro Nicks of Collingbourne Dulcis had stalls selling food.

Visitors could enjoy beer from local breweries as they listened to live music or watched the Punch and Judy show.

There was also the International Wine Theatre sponsored by Yealands Estate from Marlborough in New Zealand.

Mr Rhodes said: "I think we were quite lucky that we didn’t have any rain.

“The weekend went very well, we had about 6,000 visitors over the two days.

“Saturday was the best attended day and the feedback we’ve had from some of the people who came has been really positive, they said it was a great family day out, especially the Saturday when they could sit out in the sunshine and enjoy a glass of wine and some food.”

Garden Events is hopeful that the festival will become a firm fixture in the Marlborough calendar.

Mr Rhodes said: “Once we’ve sorted everything out we’ll have to get back and crunch some numbers and see if its viable but we’re very hopeful.”