Around 400 primary school children from across the district took part in fun food workshops at Fermoy's Garden Centre, Ipplepen, on Friday.

The event was organised as part of the Abbfest Food and Beer Festival.

The day of activities included sushi, sausage, pizza and pasta making, cake testing, compost creating, seed planting, smoothie making and much more.

'The day is designed to get children eating healthier and learning about where food comes from,' said Sarah Dumont, of Fermoy's.

'We had 13 workshop stations set up for the nine schools to enjoy and welcomed 200 children in the morning and 200 in the afternoon.'

More than 7,500 people flocked to Abbfest during the three-day food and drink festival at Fermoy's.

Numbers were up by a third on last year and organisers hope to have raised between £15,000 and £20,000 for local charities.

'It was so packed all day on Saturday, there was a sea of people,' said Sarah.

'It really was a great success.'

One of the main draws was celebrity chef Michael Caines, of Gidleigh Park, Chagford, who performed a cookery demonstration with former MP and Strictly Come Dancing star Ann Widdecombe acting as his sous chef.

The pair opened the festival.

'They were so funny together, they hadn't met before the demo. They just clicked,' said Sarah.

'They looked like they had a good time and so did the festival-goers as the marquee was packed.'

Another big attraction was the music, courtesy of local south west bands, and the 150 Devon beers on offer.

'We had hardly any left at the end, we were almost drunk dry,' said Sarah.

'One of the most popular was a ten per cent beer called Devon Tender which is made in Bideford. It's so strong we only sold it in half pints.'

Money from the festival will be given mainly to charities in Abbotskerswell and Ipplepen with some going to other causes such as Rowcroft Hospice and the Samaritans.