RECORD crowds of food lovers gathered in Abergavenny this weekend to celebrate the annual Food Festival, with organisers describing it as their busiest Saturday ever.

The festival took place across five venues including the market, castle and Brewery Yard and spread through the streets, with more than 230 food stalls each showcasing their stock, a number also up on last year. Exact attendance figures are yet to be release, but organisers previously said they expecting to attract upwards of 30,000 visitors.

This year’s colourful installations, made by Crickhowell-based Arts Alive Wales, had the theme of pigs and garlands and proved a big hit with visitors, especially youngsters.

The huge model pigs were hung in various locations around the town.

On Saturday, Franco Taruschio, founder of the Walnut Tree in Abergavenny, held his debut artisan kitchen school on "the art of pasta making", a sold-out event, and Saturday night saw the first ever night market as well as the usual celebrations, fireworks and party at the castle.

A talk by chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall also sold out, as did many of the traders, explained festival communications manager Cathy Green.

"It is clear that it was the busiest Saturday we've ever had, it's very busy and Sunday has been in excess of anticipation," she told the Argus yesterday (Sunday).

"Those traders who've been before have brought extra stock with them. This year we had our first night market in the lower Brewery Yard which was very chilled and went incredibly well. For the first time people have had options as to what to do on the Saturday night of the festival.

"I hope it's given a boost to local retailers and caterers," she said. "Many have been booked out for months."

Two Radio Four programmes, Kitchen Cabinet and Saturday Live, were recorded in Abergavenny this weekend.

With everything from venison to rose water, lobster to duck burgers, families took advantage of the good weather by turning out in their droves to sample the many culinary delights available, while on Saturday afternoon in the lower Brewery Yard, visitors were entertained by the Rock Choir.

Chef demonstrations were held in the town’s Market Hall, and children had the chance to visit the Food Academy at the castle and try their hand at hula-hooping.

Visitors and residents agreed the festival was bigger and better than ever this year, with even more stalls, choice and events taking place and vendors coming from across Wales, Gloucestershire, Somerset and beyond.

Enjoying the atmosphere at the castle, where there were live talks, was Sara Parr with three-month-old baby Lola.

"The food festival is as good as ever," said Ms Parr, from Abergavenny. "There's a really good atmosphere as usual. I'd say it's quieter this year than it was last year, I think the weather has put people off because they thought it was going to rain.

"It does seem nicer this year, there are more stalls, more choice, but all the old favourites are here," she said.

The Kitchen Cabinet’s presenter, food critic Jay Rayner, spoke on Friday at his event "My Dining Hell" at the Borough Theatre, while Charles Martell hosted the sold out "Tasting of Vintage Spirit Cocktails and Farmhouse Cheeses".

Hamish Lea-Wilson from Halen Môn Sea Salt, an Anglsey-based company, told the Argus they were doing brisk business on Saturday.

"We first had a stall at the festival around six years ago and we loved it so much we keep coming back again and again," he said.

"Business has been really good, I think we are going to run out of our salted caramel sauce. Another big seller has been our smoked water - Heston Blumenthal asked us to do it and it's great in sauces and risotto.

"I would definitely say it's busier than last year, it's been great so far."

Organisers say the festival will contribute up to £4 million towards the town’s economy.