A SCRUMPTIOUS array of treats and sizzling live demonstrations from top chefs drew hundreds to Didcot's first ever food festival.

The three-day event in the Cornerstone Arts Centre was organised by the town's very own Christine Wallace of Great British Bake Off fame.

Visitors took the opportunity to snap up delicious produce from traders hailing from all over the UK as well as watching chef demonstrations and talks upstairs.

Mrs Wallace said: "It was fantastic. We had wonderful chefs in the theatre and people saying how great it has been for the town to have this sort of event.

"It was very hard work, but when you put the hours in you get the satisfaction that people have enjoyed it and have bought lovely things for Christmas."

Former Bake Off contestants Richard Burr, Howard Middleton and Kimberley Wilson were reunited over the weekend.

Bicester chef Sarah McCready, who starred on TV show MasterChef in 2015, and Faringdon's Nick Bennett, a finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals 2015, also took part.

The event was co-organised by organisation Didcot Events, which also runs the annual Christmas street fair.

Chairwoman Jeanette Howse said: "It's been quite buzzy and really busy, and the chefs' kitchen has been really popular.

"The idea was to have something in the middle of Didcot. A lot of people sold gifts for Christmas and people have been making up their own hampers."

Traders selling everything from local honey to artisan vodka pitched up to sell their wares including Chiltern Charcuterie, Oxford Deli and Steventon House Hotel.

Kiron Phillips of Northamptonshire-based firm RK Vodka said: "It went very smoothly, with lots of exciting stalls and a huge variety of different products as well.

"Saturday was the best day. I don't think I would come back as a producer but definitely as a visitor. The demonstrations went very nicely."

But Ashleigh Kingscote, founder of Chilton cake and pastry company Cake Ticklers, said a better venue could be considered for next year.

She said: "It was ok as a first first-time event; I would come again depending on where the venue was. People didn't know we were upstairs."