TOP bartenders showed off their cocktail making skills in the Square for the Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival on Monday evening.

Entrants in the competition had seven minutes to present as a team a type of punch to serve ten people that showcases the character of their bar with judges considering their presentation as much as the taste.

Teams were allowed to do whatever they felt was needed to impress the judging panel which included Joel Whitmore from Diageo, botanist Suzanne Masters and Daily Echo's managing director Vincent Boni.

The Larder House team from Southbourne scooped first prize with their theatrical take on the mix which included general manager Katie Baird who got into the 'spirit' of the occasion dressed as an Absinthe fairy.

"We work closely with the food and kitchen side to match our food and drink and we also wanted to showcase some of the different ingredients in our punch - it was a really good fun night."

Mr Boni said afterwards: "Judging a cocktail competition is probably one of the most pleasant things I will do this month and the teams were hard to separate – the Larder House won the prize on technique and aplomb and yet there was a marvellous Bourbon based cocktail with all sorts of bizarre ingredients from the Festival bar team. The atmosphere was excellent so if you’ve not already been head for the square and savour what’s available."

The competition, held in the main music tent beside the bar, was sponsored by drinks giant Diageo and each cocktail included one of its branded spirits.

Afterwards the winners were taken on a celebratory bar and restaurant tour worth £250 around Bournemouth courtesy of Joel Whitmore.