The organisers of a much-loved Norwich food festival are getting ready to welcome the public to the Forum on Father's Day.

Norwich Food & Drink Festival, an annual celebration of the region's food and drink, will be held this year on Sunday, June 17.

The free, one-day event, which is sponsored by Cozens-Hardy, boasts a wealth of food and drink experiences for all ages, from a street food market and pop up festival bar to a Splat The Dad game and kids' 'foodie fun' zone

The event is organised by Norfolk Food & Drink, and also boasts live music, cookery demonstrations, and a hog roast.

And the popular cooking contest, Battle of the Bangers, will return for its fourteenth and final year, with a selection of mouth watering sausages on offer from ten of the county's best butchers.

Sarah de Chair, chair of Norfolk Food & Drink, said: 'It really is no small undertaking, involving over 1,000lbs of sausage meat every year, so we have decided it is time to let them hang up their aprons and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

'But not, of course, before one final epic Battle.'

Anna Stevenson, Norfolk Food & Drink co-ordinator added: 'We are a not-for-profit organisation, and receive no public funding, so we are 100pc dependent on the support of the amazing companies and individuals who give so generously, and allow us to continue to host this as a free event in the heart of the city.

'So, our sincere thanks to them all as without them, the Norwich Food & Drink Festival quite simply would not happen'.

Norfolk Food & Drink are also hosting their second Patron's Gala Dinner, on Friday, July 6, at the Norwich Lower School.

The event will feature some of Norfolk's best known and loved chefs and restaurateurs, and guests will enjoy food, drink, cheese and coffee from across the county.

The starter will be created by Richard Bainbridge; the main course cooked by Nick Mills and Chris Busby; and the dessert prepared by Richard Hughes and former Great British Bake Off contestant, and Norfolk Food & Drink Champion 2018, Kate Barmby.

Tickets to the evening are selling fast and priced at £100 per person, including a G&T or glass of fizz, courtesy of Adnams.

To book, visit the Norfolk Food & Drink website or call 01603 974075.

Norfolk Food & Drink was set up in 2004, to support the food and drink industry in Norfolk.