AS The Abergavenny Food Festival rolled out of town organisers were hailing it a record breaking year.

This year's festival didn't fail to impress more than 30,000 visitors from all over the UK who enjoyed sampling Monmouthshire's culinary delights and soaking up the atmosphere - while learning a thing or two about cheese and wine.

The weather was perfect for the whole weekend as visitors' tastebuds tingled with foods from around the world from jerky, olives, chillies and organic meats and vegetables.

One of the highlights of the tenth annual event was the African green zone area which housed all things 'eco' including the charity Love Zimbabwe, Friends of the Earth and Tools for Self Reliance.

The beats of the African drums could be heard up the streets and attracted a sea of people to the printer's yard opposite the market.

David Hollman, from Love Zimbabwe (pictured with charity founder Martha Hollman) said the children of Cantref school had been working hard to create a colourful display and even tried some traditional dancing and drumming.

He said, "It's been an absolutely fantastic weekend and we have had a lot of visitors interested in the charity. The children from Cantref have been brilliant. Martha and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard."

Another highlight was the landmark Victorian Market Hall where the free range hens decorated the ceiling. The chef demonstration area was always a sell-out with cooking master classes from top chefs.

The Burns family from Gilwern were out in force to enjoy the festival. Mum Nicky Burns said, "I've come here with the family today, my husband Graham and daughters Victoria and Rachel and it's been truly excellent. We've loved the chef demonstrations and all the tasters around the Market Hal. It's a real family event and we try to make it every year."

At the town's castle grounds there were musical performances all weekend and children - and some adults - grabbed any piece of cardboard they could find to sledge down the hills.

Louisa Dwyer, 26 and her husband Richard, 29, strolled in to town to enjoy the weekend. Mrs Dwyer said, "The Food Festival is fantastic - what more can you say, we are down here with friends and having a great time, and the weather is perfect."

Eve Johnson, 28, from Pontypool has been to the festival three years in a row, "I used to live here so it's a nice excuse to come back and visit. I love the festival and it's great to see everyone out and enjoying themselves."

This year the festival launched its first Fringe programme. Local businesses and community groups put on special events and promotions. It proved successful and highlighted the diversity and quality of what Abergavenny and the surrounding area has to offer to both visitors and residents.

One of the town's regular traders Adrian Nelmes said he sold more than 500 material market bags in under two hours and Pete Spud, who trades from Cibi Walk was very popular with hungry visitors.

A special party and fireworks display to mark the tenth anniversary of the festival also took place lighting up the night sky above the castle on Saturday evening.

Chair of the festival, Chris Wardle said, "The Food Festival  attracted more visitors over the weekend than ever before to Abergavenny.  It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves in our town after such as disappointing summer. Of course the weather helped us, but without the hard work of our staff, and many, many others, the weekend would never have been such a success. Many thanks to all."

Programme Director Martin Orbach said, "We had a fantastic number of people and it looked really good. The team did a fantastic job. The chickens looked wonderful and I would like to thank Arts Alive for that. I think someone up there likes Abergavenny, we have not had a festival like this one for a long time. It was absolutely spectacular, I want to thanks St Mary's Church and St Michael's Church am I'm sure they helped.

"I want to extend my congratulations to all the team - there is a lot of them but they know who they are."