THE countdown has begun for this year's FEAST Weymouth.

The dining event, in association with We Are Weymouth, has attracted venues from outside the town centre including Portland and Portesham.

It will offer special menus at special prices to encourage trade in the traditionally quieter winter months. Each participating venue will provide a set-menu or offer within the price ranges of £5, £10, £15, £20 or £25 for customers to dine at their establishment throughout the month of October and until November 30.

New to 2017 is the introduction of FEAST cocktails. Actor’s Bar, 1652 Coffee Bar, Ayya, Mallams and The Rendezvous all have cocktails available from the traditional Pina Colada, classic Martinis, to the more weird and wonderful M&Ms cocktail!

Food menus feature an abundance of local produce including fish, sharing boards of meats and cheeses and wines. With flavours from France to India and Sri Lanka to Italy – FEAST Weymouth has a menu to suit your budget and taste.

Emma Farnworth, owner of the Crow’s Nest in Hope Square said: “We are delighted to offer a breakfast option for FEAST Weymouth, traditionally menus have focused on lunches or dinners – so we are pleased to offer something different.

"We are also really excited for the FEASTival event to launch FEAST Weymouth on October. It is great to have a foodie focused event in the square”.

The FEASTival at Hope Square will include chef demonstrations from Dennis at the Fantastic Sausage Factory, Eric Tavenier at Les Enfants Terribles, Carl of Delicious, Nigel of Billy Winters, CJ of Mallams making cocktails, Adam of Sea Beats and Sebastian of Ayya making cocktails. There will also be the chance to peruse some artisan farmers' market stalls.

This year, tuck into Lyme Bay scallops, Oriental Beef Salad, Butternut Squash Soup, Ravioli with Ricotta and Spinach, Chicken Roulade, Lamb Madras, Fish & Chips, 30 Day aged Steak Burger, Dorset Apple Crumble, Tiramisu, Tapas, Cheeseboards, Cocktails, Cider and so much more!

Keith Treggiden, general manager at The Rendezvous, said: “The Rendezvous has been making cocktails for years and years now, we are pretty famous for them! So, we are delighted with the new addition of FEAST Cocktails this year. Try anything from a fruity Porn Star martini to a classic Mai Tai; paired with our tasty tapas and award-winning atmosphere, it’s the perfect offer!”

*FEAST Weymouth runs from October 2 to November 30. To see all the menus and participating eateries, visit the We Are Weymouth website weareweymouth.co.uk/feast-weymouth/menus/