SOLICITORS Kitsons have announced plans to sponsor one of the region's biggest food, drink and leisure festivals.

With a leading legal voice on industry issues, Kitsons, with branches in Newton Abbot and Torquay, have unveiled plans to support The Celebration of Food.

The event takes place across the South West from Bristol down to Cornwall, throughout October, covering more than 250 events from restaurant fine dining and foodie fun events for children, to fungi foraging and fish markets.

Andrew Perkins, joint managing partner and Kitsons' industry specialist said: "What a tremendous festival for us to be part of.

"We've been representing clients throughout the region from this sector since William Kitson started his law practice in Torquay in the 1800s — it's embedded in our history.

"The South West region offers such a wealth and depth of locally produced food and drink products that celebrations of this nature are imperative to continue to raise its profile throughout the UK, and beyond. And, as experts on food, drink and leisure legal issues, as well as a nationally recognised licensing practice, Kitsons is delighted to be sponsoring this festival, it's very much a natural progression for us."

Running for more than eight years and supported by big names, including Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Michael Caines and Carluccios, the 2010 festival will be the biggest of its kind in the UK.

Event director, Nick Cooper from Salt Media said: "We're really looking forward to this year's event and especially pleased to have such a well known regional law firm as Kitsons supporting us. As a firm synonymous with high quality food and drink legal expertise, the synergy between them and our festival is clear to see and we're hoping to make this event our best yet.

"We still have places remaining for those wishing to sign-up, be they restaurants, accommodation providers, pubs, clubs and hotels as well as anyone else involved in the food, drink and leisure industry. The Celebration of Food is a festival for everyone so we're encouraging businesses to use this as an opportunity to boost their business and educate shoppers."

With clients across the region including Paramount 21, Tiger Bills, Duchy Hotel Group, Buccaneer Holdings Ltd, Venture Inns and Dartmoor Brewery, Kitsons is ranked as one of the South West's leading law firms.