FOODIES rejoice – Wimborne’s food festival makes a welcome return this weekend.

The popular event celebrating the best of local food and drink drew crowds of thousands in the past, but was cancelled in 2013 due to lack of funding.

But it has been relaunched as the Wimborne Food and Drink Festival by the Wimborne Business Improvement District (BID), who are bringing it back to life with the help of local businesses.

On Saturday October 25 the town will be transformed into a festival of food, activities and fun with market and craft stalls, food producers, wine tastings and entertainment for all ages. The main activities will be taking place in Wimborne Square, Willow Walk, Minster Green and in the Corn Market.

Expect innovative and tasty dishes – with a special focus on Dorset based producers and businesses, as the festival it is also the launch event for Dorset Food Week. Food from different cultures, free tastings, special offers, demonstrations and music will be laid on across the town, with locations including Holmans, A Taste of Indonesia, The Wimborne Model Town, Corn Market, and No9 on the Green all part of the offering.

Ian Faulkner, chairman of the Wimborne BID, said: “There is a long history of festivals in Wimborne and the 2014 Wimborne Food and Drink Festival will bring together a variety of local businesses, Dorset producers and growers, as well as showcasing the excellent restaurants, shops and businesses available to you in Wimborne. We are expecting many local residents to attend this event and to attract many visitors from outside the area as well.

“This is going to be a fabulous day of food and drink which is not to be missed.

“The festival will be spread all around the town and there are road closures in place to provide a safe and relaxed environment for the whole family.

Visit the webstite wimborne.inf o/foodanddrinkfestival