A RECORD breaking Food Festival saw almost 40,000 people throng the streets of Abergavenny.

This year's festival topped the success of last year as organisers say estimated figures show 37,000 visitors from all over the UK and beyond sampled Monmouthshire's culinary delights.

Chief Executive Kim Waters who took the helm of the festival for the first time this year, told the Chronicle, "It was a very well attended festival. We are still in the process of collating the figures but we estimate it will be in excess of 37,000 people.

"The weather helped us, I don't know what it is about Abergavenny Food Festival but the rain always holds off. The forecasts threatened it all weekend but it stayed away."

Mr Waters praised the community of Abergavenny saying, "I've been in this job for a year and this event shows the way the town comes together for the festival. We get support from businesses, schools, students and volunteers - it is an example of making an event happen. The community has made this happen."

Mayor Councillor Norma Watkins was among the thousands making the most of the September sunshine and was even invited to help former England rugby player Matt Dawson decide who created the best outsized Welsh Rarebit as part of his new TV series.

"It was a brilliant weekend which was thoroughly enjoyable. The reaction from people is that it is the best food festival in the country. This year has been the best yet but they have not had a bad weekend yet," said Councillor Watkins.

"People were stopping me in the street asking me about Abergavenny and the Food Festival and they were saying how impressed they were with the layout. As it is split into sections they could pick and choose what areas they could visit if they didn't have time to see them all.

"The Food Festival is a brilliant way to show off Abergavenny. It brings people into town and they often choose to come back. It shows Abergavenny at its best and what it has to offer and how welcoming it is."

Jenny Taylor of Abergavenny and District Tourist Association praised the festival but said the number of visitors to the town brought into focus what could happen if plans to reduce the town's public toilets provision went ahead.

She said, "The Food Festival was a resounding success and is getting bigger every year. All accommodation was fully booking, bringing much needed economy to Abergavenny.

"My only criticism was the ticket office. Whilst I appreciate there was more than one outlet, the queue for tickets at the Post Office was abysmal in as much as people were queuing down Tudor Street to the Police Station and many people were put off buying tickets because of the queue.

"I think next year it is essential there is more than one ticket outlet at the Post Office.

"Maps showing the town should be handed out with the tickets and toilets must be clearly shown.

"However, there appears to be a decision being made about the toilets. Can someone please explain to me how can we service the public if the toilets close?

"If the council do decide, which I pray they don't, to let the toilets close, can you please ensure Portaloo's are provided for future festivals.

"We are a town the that relies totally on economy from all the festivals including the Food Festival, Shire Horse Show, Steam Rally, but we need toilet facilities. Toilet facilities are an essential part of a tourism town.

"As a child I was taught 'cleanliness is next to godliness' can someone please remember this when dealing with the public toilets."

She concluded, "May I congratulate all accommodation providers, exhibitors and indeed everyone connected with the Food Festival.

"It is damn hard work for all of us but by gum it is making our little town famous.

"What a worthwhile effort by everyone."