THOUSANDS of food-lovers are set to flock to Clacton when the town hosts its first Food and Drink Festival this summer.

The event will take place over two days following the Clacton Airshow in August.

Organiser Bespoke Caterers is hoping to capitalise on the consecutive events and expect about 20,000 people could be drawn to West Greensward, which will be packed with stalls boasting food and drink from around the world.

The Clacton Airshow flying displays will take place on Thursday, August 27, and Friday, August 28, with the festival on the next two days.

The aim is keep the activities going for a full four days - and bring in even more visitors to the town.

Tendring Council, which runs the airshow, is working in partnership with Bespoke Catering for the food and drink festival.

Bespoke already operate the sponsors' area for the airshow – and will be expanding their involvement as part of the new venture.

Mark Platt, the council's cabinet member for tourism, culture, leisure and events, said he was pleased that it would effectively become a four-day event.

“Everything will take place under the overall umbrella of the airshow and it will provide additional activities over the weekend, albeit on the ground and not in the air,” he said.

“We believe this will be a popular move with residents and visitors alike and can only help boost numbers.

“It is something we have been looking at for some time and I am delighted that we have managed to pull it off with Bespoke taking a leading role.”

Read the full story in the Clacton Gazette, out now.