AROUND 15,000 people flocked into Droitwich on Saturday to make the most of the Droitwich Food and Drink Festival.

Despite the sometimes threatening weather, the town centre was packed with 125 stalls from local producers as well as those from further afield, and people made the most of the experience.

Organiser Patrick Davis, said: “We had a great turn out even with the weather. There was a complete downpour at about three o’clock. I thought ‘that’s going to clear it off’, but when it stopped people just came back.

“We’ve literally occupied every bit of space available this year we couldn’t have squeezed another stall in.”

Young bakers brought their cakes along for the junior bake-off with Ralph Bennett taking the title in the 5-9 age group for his chocolate and beetroot cupcakes, and Rosie Hopkins winning the 10-15 age category for a Victoria sponge decorated to show the Hop Pole pub garden and the canal with marshmallows and flakes.

Local shops also joined in with the fun, decorating their front windows with different food themed displays, and Hair Studio won an overall prize for its ‘Jugged Hare’ display.

Mail on Sunday columnist Tom Parker-Bowles opened the festival. He said: “What a splendid festival. Proper, in every way. “

Later in the evening the fun wasn’t over, as hundreds of people went along to the Beer and Cider Festival at the Gardener’s Arms, watching live bands including Sun Reflections from Malvern and Hanbury, and Skabucks from Bromsgrove. The venue also played host to a night of music from BBC Introducing new artists.

Simon Berry, landlord at the Gardener’s Arms, said: “It was all a complete success. We were limited to 499 tickets and we pre-sold most of the tickets. There were about 500 people trying to get in on top. The bands that played were exceptionally good.”

The music aspect of the festival was organised by 4Shires, and this was the first year it had been held inside the town, despite being established for 13 years. Some residents complained that the venue wasn’t large enough to accommodate all the people wanting to attend.

Organiser John Dudley, added: “It was a sell out on Saturday. There were people queuing, one out one in. We had blue skies and sunshine all the weekend, with only a couple of little showers. We hope to do it bigger and better next year. The town very positive, even the local neighbours this morning said it was lovely. They turned off their TV and listened to the music instead.”