Foodies from near and far will flock to Poundbury today (4) for the Dorset Food and Arts Festival.

Last year the free event saw crowds enjoy around over 50 stalls that lined Queen Mother Square.

Now in its seventh year, the festival has been handed over from the Duchy of Cornwall and a voluntary committee to Dorset Food and Drink, who already organise many successful events around the county.

Katharine Wright, of Dorset Food and Drink, said: “It’s been great to be given the opportunity to continue what is already a popular annual festival.

“The festival has a fantastic feel and I think this is because everyone brings their own gazebos and it truly champions the best of local producers.”

The festival is held as always on the Saturday closest to the late Queen Mother’s birthday, following the successful pattern of previous years. This year the festival is requesting a voluntary donation of £1 which will help support local events like this and means visitors can enjoy spending their money on the array of delicious cuisine on offer.

The Dorset Food and Arts Festival was originally held in 2012 as a one-off celebration of the best of Dorset produce, in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics Games, in London and at Weymouth and Portland.

The event is all about the incredible Dorset local produce and this year will see more than 50 local food and drink stalls to peruse and sample, including the regular Poundbury Dorset Farmers’ Market stallholders who can usually be found in the square on the first Saturday of each month.

Of course, with all this top notch fare you need entertainment and this will be provided by music from local singers and groups throughout the day. There’s also many activities for children and families are invited to take part.

The festival will run from 9am until 5pm today (4).

For more information, visit dorsetfestival.org