CROWDS returned to a scaled-down version of the Dorset Food and Arts Market - which showcased a bumper crop of local food, drink, art, craft, and community talent.

Intermittent and heavy showers throughout the day didn't put a dampener on the event at Poundbury's Great Field on Saturday, with residents and tourists happy to come out to see what local traders had to offer on their stalls.

The event had to be cancelled last year due to Covid and organisers decided to move the event to a new location this year so there was more space and plenty of room for social distancing.

Speaking at the event, co-ordinator of organisers and Dorset Food & Drink Caz Richards said: "This site has enabled us to create a really nice outdoor shopping avenue.

"I'm really glad people are coming. It is really nice just just to see things coming back to normal and people enjoying local food and arts.

"It is a scaled back version of what we would normally do but it feels right for at the moment and people seem to be happy."

Marilyn and Jim Clubb of Upwey said they liked the new location.

Jim said: "We went when this market was at Queen Mother Square, but I think this might be better.

"It is really good to see people out, we were just saying to each other that this might be the most normal we have been since the pandemic started."

Tracey Collins was running her stall of jarred preserves from her Dorset-based business Ajar Of at the Poundbury market on her birthday.

She said: "It is a very good market and it is great to see so many people out even with the weather.

"It is probably a bit less busy than previous years but that is not necessarily a bad thing at this time."

But David Jones, 86, of Poundbury was surprised at how busy the event was.

He said: "I couldn't see many people coming down but when I got here I was amazed at how busy it was.

"I think it is excellent where they have put it."

Scarlett Chorley was working on a stand selling locally produced flavoured gins by Smith & Weston and said that business was going well for her.

She said: "It is great, everybody loves gin and everybody loves fruity local flavours, so it tends to get some good attention."

The festival has been generously supported by the Duchy of Cornwall, and in 2018, the event was taken on by Dorset Food & Drink.

Held on the Saturday closest to the late Queen Mother's birthday, the festival followed the successful pattern of previous years with free entry for all.

It hopes to return to its 'natural home' in Queen Mother Square next year.