A FOOD and drink festival is returning for another year with even more stallholders.

Brightlingsea Food and Drink Festival will take place in August.

Festival organisers were left with no choice but to close the event early last year due to a freak storm which “ripped tents apart”.

But this year they are determined to come back with a bigger and better event.

Wood fired pizza, peck fried chicken, gourmet Yorkshire pudding wraps and bubble waffles are just some of the treats on offer.

There will also be a Hungarian Goulash Hut and Junkyard Smoke Bloke American BBQ.

JK Events is leading on the festival and organiser Will Jenkins said: “We’ve responded to requests for more stalls catering for vegan or special dietary requirements this year, with Norwegian Bakers, Le Soy desserts, Bohemian Wrapspuddy and Panda’s Pantry to name just a few.

“Another area we’ve expanded is our market place stalls to create a relaxed shopping experience where people can browse a wide range of artisan products to take home, including Leigh’s Fine Cheeses, English Distillery Spirits, Giggly Pig sausages and more.”

There will be a main bar serving local ales, cider, lager, wine and soft drinks.

Festival goers can take a seat and relax to live music.

The Fluid Events Company will be running a Pimms and Prosecco bar and the Gin Rummy cocktail caravan will be returning for a third year.

Artists and craftspeople will be displaying their talents including boutique fashion, handbags and jewellery.

Will said: “We are really proud to support our charities in their fundraising this year, so will be hosting several organisations from Brightlingsea for free including Porridge and Pens Ghanian School project, The Allotment Society, Essex Beekeepers and Brightlingsea Lido.

“Likewise, in return, we are very grateful to be sponsored again by East of England Co-op.”

This year children can enter for free, plus there will be seating and covered areas.

Those who come on the Saturday can enter again for free on the Sunday. The event will take place in Promenade Way, Brightlingsea, on August 24 and 25.

Entry for adults is £2.50. The event will run from 11am until 6pm on Saturday and 11am until 5pm on Sunday.