Free tickets to Shrewsbury Food Festival for children
Thousands of primary school children are due to attend Shrewsbury Food Festival next week after free tickets were distributed.
Organisers of the event, which takes place on June 29 and 30, have handed out 5,000 free tickets to local primary schools.
They are also looking to build a garden for a local primary school as part of efforts to educate the town's youngsters about the importance of good food.
Organisers are looking to educate children about the journey that food makes from the farm to the plate, as well as the importance of farming to the county's economy.
Beth Heath, chief executive of Shrewsbury Food Festival, said: "We've been out and about during the past fortnight delivering 5,000 free invitations to local primary schools.
"We've got an amazing programme of activities lined-up for June 29 and 30 in our Darwin Matthews Education Marquee."
Mrs Heath added that the festival also wanted to build a garden in a local school before next year's event.
She said: "We're passionate about educating the next generation about the importance of good food. We want them to know what great food is about and why it is so important to the economy of a rural county like Shropshire."
The festival will feature more than 130 exhibitors, celebrity chef demonstrations from Marcus Bean, Will Holland and others and music from 10 bands as part of #ShropshireUnsigned.
There will also be farmyard animals, talks and demonstrations and chances for visitors to get involved in food-related competitions.
The event will be opened by Only Fools and Horses star Boycie, aka actor John Challis, who will meet fans at The Quarry from 10am on June 29, before signing books from noon to 2pm in Waterstones.
Mr Challis said: "I'm really looking forward to opening the inaugural Shrewsbury Food Festival. I'm even thinking of bringing Marlene along with me."
Mrs Heath added that tickets for the event had now gone on sale at the Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre and were also available online.
She said: "The prices are deliberately low, at a fiver for adults, a quid for kids and a tenner for families."
Further details are available from www.shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk
