SALISBURY is to host another food and drink festival, it was revealed last week. Following last year's successful food and drink festival in the city, a similar festival is to be held over the August bank holiday this year.

From August 26 until September 1, a number of events will help celebrate local produce, with the main event a two-day food and drink fair in the Market Square on August 28 and 29.

On August 29, there will be a civic ceremony to mark Salisbury's involvement in the Battle of Trafalgar.

This will be held at the Guildhall, with local food and drink supplied for the ceremony.

Speaking tomorrow at the Salisbury district council launch of the event will be Devon farmer Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, who sells his products locally and who participated in last year's festival.

District council deputy portfolio holder for planning and economic development Margaret Peach said: "The Salisbury food and drink festival proved a huge success last year and I am delighted to see it return.

"We know that the festival will give the kind of promotion that locally produced food and drink from Salisbury and south Wiltshire really deserves.

"We have a wealth of farmers, producers, pubs and restaurants and all of these talented and productive businesses are responsible for the highest-quality products.

"I hope this launch will help promote this year's event and encourage even more people to be part of this success story."

Local businesses interested in becoming involved should contact the district council's tourism marketing manager, Gale Pettifer, on 01722 434359.

Salisbury district council is funding the food and drink festival with support from the Salisbury tourism partnership and the south-west regional development agency, through the Rural Renaissance grant.