FOODIES are set to celebrate the best of Dorset at a popular festival.

The National Trust’s annual Spring Tide Food Festival is back for its eighth year. The event will be held on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, in west Dorset.

Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock will provide the spectacular scenery, with the Jurassic coast in the background, for the festival.

The festival will be open each day from 10am to 4pm and there will be a host of foodie treats to delight the taste buds.

The festival aims to celebrate “place, produce and people” and showcases the wealth of culinary delights and products from Dorset artisans and crafts people.

There will be lots of stalls to explore from specialty meats and artisan cheeses to handmade delicacies and mouth-watering brownies. There will also be street food, breads, fish and locally-produced cider, wine and aperitifs.

There will be local crafts and musical performances. Organisers have said that Bridport Museum is even providing a “pop up” experience at the event.

Sarah Kennedy, outdoor experience ranger and Caz Richards, volunteer project manager for the festival, said in a joint statement: “We'll be tempting visitors to experience a range of local seasonal foods, from scrumptious savouries to the indulgent naughty-but-nice sweet treats.”

They added that Spring Tide is a festival “for all the family” and encouraged people to join them for the weekend.

Katharine Wright, Dorset Food and Drink co-ordinator said: “It is so good to see this festival going from strength to strength and continuing to attract the top quality local food and drink producers.”

Entry to the event is £2 and proceeds go towards the National Trust’s ongoing conservation work in Dorset. Parking is free at Hive Beach for National Trust members, or there is pay and display for non- members.

For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/burton-bradstock or call 01297 489481.