A POPULAR food festival has announced it is moving out of Maldon for its fourth event.

The Smoke and Fire Festival is a celebration of all things barbecued, smoked and cooked with fire.

However, this year’s event from August 14-16 will not be in Promenade Park.

Organisers have now moved it to Lower Castle Park in Colchester to have more space for its ever-growing fanbase.

Last year’s event saw more than 18,000 revellers feast at dozens of stalls and raising money for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

Air ambulance fundraising coordinator Clair Mitchell said: “We are delighted to be part of this amazing event again in 2020.

“Smoke and Fire is a great event and has raised thousands of pounds for the charity since it began, and we are looking forward to seeing the festival in its new home.”

Colchester councillor Theresa Higgins added: “I am delighted that such a popular and successful event as the Smoke and Fire Festival has chosen Colchester’s Castle Park as their venue for 2020, another example of Colchester’s ever-increasing popularity as a venue for family-friendly festivals and entertainment.”

This year, they will be hosting the Kansas City BBQ Association BBQ Team Pit Master Challenge featuring 20 teams from across Europe.

Maldon District Council discussed what to put in place of the event at a meeting last month.

There will be Extreme Chilli and Red-Hot Buffalo Wing eating contests across the whole weekend.

There will also be performances from tribute bands Oasish and Stereotonics as well as more than 100 stalls for food and drink.

Maldon District Council discussed what to put in place of the event at a meeting last month.

For details, visit smokeandfirefestival.com.