DAWLISH is to play host to a new food festival.

For the first time eat:festivals is coming to the town with more than 50 local producers including farmers market favourites such as local ales, ciders and wine, bread cakes and pies plus street food, spirits and charcuterie, plus music and street entertainers.

Dawlish Town Council is supporting the event on Saturday, October 15 which, it is hoped, will attract residents and bring in visitors to the town.

The event will be free to attend, family friendly and with entertainment.

Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Val Mawhood said: ‘I am truly delighted and excited to learn that there is to be an eat-Festival here in Dawlish on October 15 this year.

‘This will be something special for us all and it promises to be a really exciting addition to the calendar, with the emphasis on producers both locally and across Devon.

‘It will attract visitors and help to extend our tourist season.’

Bev Milner Simonds, of eat:Festivals, explained: ‘We are delighted to be working with Dawlish Town Council to deliver a new event in the town centre.

‘There will be more than 50 local producers including farmers market favourites such as local ales, ciders and wine, bread cakes and pies plus street food, spirits and charcuterie, plus music and street entertainers. Many thanks to Dawlish Town Council for their support of this event.’

Event co-organiser Sarah Milner Simonds added: ‘Markets are part of the fabric of towns and cities across the UK. We know our events generate environmental and economic benefits by supporting family producers and farmers.

‘We want to work with local businesses to give people more reasons to visit the town centre more often and to stay longer. This is vital for the sake of the local economic wellbeing and long term visions of vibrant town centres.’

Neil Salter, chairman of Dawlish Chamber of Trade said ‘I am really looking forward to the Dawlish Food Festival this year.

‘I think it will be great for the town.’

Prospective producers and community groups can apply at www.eatfestivals.org/apply