NEWCASTLE Emlyn ninth annual Food Festival proved a big success as the sun finally shone down and visitors flocked to the event.

The festival at the King George V playing field was filled to the brim with all things fun and foodie and the stalls were soon doing a brisk trade as the gates opened from 10am and the early birds swooped in.

Around 4,000 people visited during the day and a spokesman for the organisers said: "We are delighted with how the festival went and would like to thank everybody for their support."

From fish to fudge, bread to brownies, there was something for all tastes, along with cookery demonstrations and a full day of entertainment on the stage, with local schools and performers taking part.

Shane James from The Harbourmaster at Aberaeron and Huw Morgan, from Coleg Ceredigion shared their mouth-watering recipes with the crowds and there was also the opportunity for youngsters to try their hand and enter the cookery competitions.

TV and radio presenter Dot Davies performed the official opening ceremony at 11am, by which times the event was already in full swing and the neighbouring car parks full to bursting.

It was in stark contrast to the previous day as the rain lashed down and organisers faced a battle to get everything set up.

“It’s fantastic to see and one of the biggest events in the town’s calendar,” said Newcastle Emlyn mayor Cllr Alan Jones.

“It plays a vital part in the town’s economy and in promoting what we have to offer here and I’d like to say a huge thank you to the organisers for all the hard work they put in.”

Local MP Jonathan Edwards and his family was one of the early visitors.

“It is great to see local communities come together at events like these and shows the vibrancy that exists in our towns,” he said.

“There are so many things like this going on and people working so hard behind the scenes to pull them together. In terms of community well-being, it is so important and we are so lucky to have them.”