FOOD, glorious food - Abergavenny was transformed into a gastronomic paradise once again at the weekend with its sixth food festival.

On every street corner were footstuffs from all over Wales as the country's most successful celebration of food returned to the Gwent market town.

The emphasis was on local produce, with dozens of Welsh traders and producers showing off their culinary delights to enthusiastic visitors from all over the UK.

And from the choice, quality and variety of food on offer, it is plain to see why Monmouthshire is considered by many to be the food capital of Wales.

Making his return to the festival was television chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, who said the event is an important part of the food calendar.

"I think it's great. I first came here two years ago and I enjoyed it very much," he said.

"I want to make sure I get time to walk around the Market Hall and see all the local produce, because these producers are the future of our food culture.

"An event like this is really celebrating the work of small producers as opposed to multi-national corporations, and reminds people that food is a life-enhancing product."

The exact number of visitors to the two-day festival will not be known until later this week, but organisers say numbers are up on last year, when a record 20,000 people attended.

Festival director Martin Orbach said: "It has been a really good festival - everyone is very happy and all the ticketed events have sold more than last year. We have had a good selection of traders, and some old as well as new faces.

"For me, Mark Hix and Peter Jordan's masterclass with mushrooms was a highlight.

"Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is an old friend and continues to sell out and pull everyone in, and a great show was put on by school chef Jeanette Orrey, who also advised council officers on healthy school meals."

Mr Orbach said feedback from stallholders was very positive, with some even selling out of produce.

Last year attractions on the festival sites alone made more than £500,000, and organisers expect to improve on that this year.

"That is a calculation we will have to make this week, but I am sure we will see that figure go up," said Mr Orbach.

"For me the festival has been unique. It has kept its friendly and informal atmosphere."