DEVON food and drink will be celebrated in a village beer and food festival next month.

Every year residents from Abbotskerswell organise the Abbfest to raise money for local groups, and the event attracts hundreds.

A large marquee in the grounds of Fermoys Garden Centre will house the weekend of festivities and fun.

A full-size demonstration kitchen will be the centrepiece, for a programme of cookery demonstrations.

"With more than 50 local food producers in attendance, the marquee is always a vibrant, cheerful mix of local characters all working together to produce a snapshot of Devon's best, whether it be a simple selection of organic fruit and veg, or the magical aroma of freshly cooked bread," said Sarah Dumont from Fermoys.

The festival begins on Friday, September 26, and will be opened by TV chef Peter Gorton from the renowned Horn of Plenty at Gulworthy, near Tavistock.

Also there will be two other top chefs — Tim Bouget, winner of the South West Chef of the Year award, and Paul de Costa Greaves from the Galley Restaurant, Topsham.

Local craft will also be playing a part, with a number of producers setting up shop for the weekend.

Abbfest will also aim to feature every beer brewed in Devon, a tough job for Dave Hedge, one of the organisers.

"Bringing together more than 120 ales is a bit of a logistical nightmare. Not only do we have to source all the beer, it has to arrive in peak condition and we have to construct the stills to store it.

"We get visitors from far and wide, including a regular group from Norway, and lots of dedicated beer drinkers from up country," said Dave.

Entry is £2.50, and all the profits — £10,000 last year — will be shared between village charities and organisations.