DESPITE the rain setting in after a sunny start, Haslemere Food Festival fans were out in force last weekend.

Now in its 13th year, the annual festival is a culinary celebration of food and drink from Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, plus a generous serving of live music and activities for children.

Visitors were invited to challenge their tastebuds in the demonstration zone and discover how local cheese is made and just how good English sparkling wine has become. There was also an interactive children’s zone with a host of different food-themed arts and crafts.

Riverford Organic Farmers gave a demonstration on hearty harvest dishes, Bake with Jake made autumn breads, while Meon Valley Cider and Langham Brewery both laid on tastings.

Three butchers – Seabright’s in West Street, Kaghin and daughter in Hindhead and Bells in Wey Hill – went head to head in the popular annual sausage competition.

This year the tasting to see who made the best speciality sauasge and traditional sausage was held at the fair, with competing sausages cooked on the spot to be tasted and voted on by visitors.

The winner of both traditional and speciality sausage was Seabright’s.

Visit Haslemere co-ordinator Heather Matthews said: “A huge thank-you to everyone who braved the weather. We were truly amazed by how many people were wandering round in the pouring rain enjoying the vast array of stalls. Despite the weather it was still a great day thanks to good old fashioned British stoicism.

“The day would not have been possible without our jolly band of volunteers, the fabulous stallholders and, of course, the brave members of the public who ventured out.

“We would also like to thank Haslemere Educational Museum and Molly Moo Cow for keeping the children entertained and dry throughout the day.”