THERE’S something for everyone at this year’s Dorset Vegan Festival at Lighthouse, Poole next month.

This popular event, held at Lighthouse, Poole includes around 80 stalls, world food caterers, cookery demos, talks, interactive workshops, yoga and children’s activities running throughout the day.

Food on offer includes an array of plant-based hot and cold dishes, including Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, Greek, hotdogs, burgers, street food, raw food and gourmet food.

There will also be a range of pies, cakes, chocolates, cookies, doughnuts, sandwiches and salads to take away as well as alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, juices, smoothies, tea and coffee.

There will be a great selection of non food stalls at the event selling a wide variety of items including fashion, footwear, jewellery, beauty and skincare products, candles, crafts, clothing, footwear, homeware, gifts and charity merchandise.

As well as stalls to look round, there will also be a wide range of free food samples to try, live music, inspirational talks, live cookery demonstrations, workshops and children’s activities.

Festival organiser Victoria Bryceson said: “With the vegan lifestyle really starting to go mainstream, there’s a massive demand for vegan-friendly events.

“The Dorset festival is set to be a fantastic day out whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or simply vegan-curious. The idea behind the festival is to educate and inform everyone about the vegan lifestyle and offer support to anybody who would like it.”

Victoria says following a plant-based diet has transformed her life; “I’ve never felt happier and healthier.” she says. She started the festival with the aim of promoting animal welfare and how to live a more ethical and healthy lifestyle. “There will be several animal welfare charity stalls raising awareness of their causes. For anybody who would like to get involved with volunteering this is an ideal place to talk to lots of different charities and gather information, and all the stall holders are happy to talk to people and answer any questions.”

The festival is run in partnership with animal welfare charities including Miracle’s Mission. “It’s all about trying new things and opening people’s eyes to new possibilities,” Victoria adds.

“Cutting out meat and dairy from your diet is easier than you might think and many people are increasingly looking for alternatives as they want to live more healthily and ethically. They want to find out more about the new innovative foods and recipes now available and want to do it affordably. Our festival will educate people on how to do all of this.”

Th Dorset Vegan Festival takes place on Sunday, May 20 between 10.30am and 4.30pm. Entry £5 (under-16s free) includes entry to all areas and activities. For more information, visit veganeventsuk.co.uk or facebook.com/VeganEventsUK