CROWDS gathered this weekend for the seventh Abergavenny Food Festival.

The town was given over all things culinary from the moment the festival opened at 10am on Saturday.

At the entrance to Market Hall this year's Miss Wales, Claire Evans, modelled an edible hat made by Alison Tod, Abergavenny-based celebrity milliner and Welsh designer of the year 1999.

It may have looked too good to eat, but that did not stop Abergavenny chef Franco Taruschio tucking in to mark the start of the weekend's festivities.

Books, plants, seeds and foods were all on display, along with talks, demonstrations and masterclasses.

In Market Hall olives stood alongside Belgian chocolates and giant model fry-ups made by Crickhowell-based Arts Alive hung from the ceiling.

Below, crowds gathered for book signings at the Abergavenny Bookshop stand.

Manager Brian Hughes said: "It's a good weekend for us - hard work but worth it."

Outside, the Garlic Company from the Isle of Wight demonstrated 20 different ways to use garlic.

There was Spanish serrano ham from local firm Bellota, based near Monmouth.

There was plenty to tease the tastebuds as well.

A decadent chocolate fountain brought in by Gafney's of Abergavenny was billed as "luxury on a stick" and glasses of cider refreshed in the sunny moments.

The bustling streets were also alive with stalls including the colourful fruits and vegetables of the Gwent Country Market, until recently known as the Gwent WI market.

Florence Charles, county chairman, said: "We had to rename because the business got too big to be considered a charity."

For the first year a fish market was set up at the Priory Centre, St Mary's.

At the castle there was more to grab budding chefs with a special show for children.

Last year 25,000 people attended and, although no official figure was expected until later, it is thought the same number turned up this year.

Festival director Martin Orbach said: "I'm really pleased - the producers did well and the speakers enjoyed it, so are keen to come back.

"I would estimate numbers are slightly up on last year and there's been more international and TV interest than ever."