THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Weymouth to sample the culinary delights of the Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival over the weekend.

Visitors from far and wide were packed along the harbour like sardines as local and regional chefs served up mouthfuls of marine morsels.

Brian Cooper, one of the organisers of the festival, said this year's event was the biggest and best yet.

"This is the 12th year of the festival and it has grown each time with a great team of people working on it.

"We have had well over 50 seafood stalls and another 50 doing other stuff associated with the sea or seafood.

"It's promoting the town as a centre of excellence for seafood. We have some lovely seafood off the coast of Dorset and the south west and that's what it is all about."

The festival is a big draw for tourists and provides a big boost for Dorset's economy and fishing industry.

Eloise Morgan, 51, visiting from Southampton, said: "My husband and I first came to the festival five years ago and now its part of our holiday plans every year.

"We plan a trip down to Weymouth and book a hotel early just so we can come to this, we love it."

As well as the tourists, local residents look to take advantage of the vast array of seafood and enjoy a day out.

Weymouth resident Graeme West, 38, said: "I love my seafood so I've been trying to try as many things as possible. It's great because you can walk around and have a look while your snacking at the different stalls.

"I had some scallops with a bit of chorizo and a bowl of paella. Some of it is a bit expensive but it's all really tasty."

Local businesses use the festival to promote their brand and advertise their local produce to tourists and locals alike.

Sean Cooper, owner of Weyfish, said: "Last year was our first year so with a bit of trial and error this year we have a bit more of an idea about what to do.

"This year we have three stands with a corporate partner. We supply all of the fish to all of the seafood to the stages for their live shows so they can try the beautiful fish from our local waters.

"It's been a perfect start to the weekend and it couldn't have been any more successful."