THOUSANDS turned out for the Abergavenny Christmas Food Fair today.

Organised by Abergavenny Food festival, the event saw an estimated 5,000 people come to sample some of the UK’s finest food and drink.

Dozens of stalls were set up in the town's Market Hall and in nearby marquees, selling goods from cheese, to chocolate wine, to a huge range of sweet and savoury goods.

The fair acts as the “little sister” to the summer food festival which sees around 32,000 people venture to the town from across the UK.

Head of communications for the festival, Cathy Green said: “We had around 4,000 attend last year and we estimate that this year there will be 5,000 people. The event always proves to be popular and is well attended.”

Toki Allison and Robyn Barratt from Hereford said the event had been a great way to spend their Sunday. Miss Allison said: “Although it’s busy, there isn’t a stressful atmosphere here; everyone is really relaxed and enjoying themselves.

I’ve bought a load of things to put in a Christmas hamper, so I am really in the festive spirit.”

Abergavenny locals, Cristina Garcia and Gabriel Cipres, originally from Spain, both really enjoyed the day. Miss Garcia said: “We came here last year and because we loved it so much, we came back again.

“It’s great because I get to try food that I never had the opportunity to eat before, things like venison and the free samples are also a bonus.”

Sellers at the event agreed the day had been a success. Gerry Woodhouse from the Blaenafon Cheddar Company said: “Today has been like magic. It’s been amazing, this is our third year here and we always enjoy doing this event because it is so relaxed.

Greg Shearman from the Chock Shop in Newport sold a range of chocolate brownies at the event. He said: “Today has been fantastic, we’ve been rushed off our feet, it is our second time here and we will definitely be coming back again.”

Chef Liz Knight also conducted a demonstration on how to cook with pine needles, she said: "I'm basically doing a demonstration today on how to eat your Christmas tree!

"I've been to Abergavenny food festivals a number of times and it's always a particularly good and important one and there is just such a lovely atmosphere."