THE first children's food festival in the country is one of many events planned to celebrate Oxfordshire's 1000th anniversary this year.

The festival will see celebrity chefs from Oxfordshire, such as Raymond Blanc and Sophie Grigson, give children and their parents a fresh perspective on healthy eating.

Staff from a number of Oxfordshire's restaurants and local farmers will also be taking part.

The festival is due to take place on July 14 and 15 at the Northmoor Trust's conservation farm at Wittenham Clumps.

It is being organised by Oxford Inspires, the county's cultural development agency which is funded by Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford's two universities. It is one of about 40 special events which will be staged around the county to mark the county's 1,000th anniversary.

A festival spokesman said: "The aim of the festival is to transform young people's approach to food and to give children and parents a fresh perspective on healthy eating.

"Raymond Blanc and Sophie Grigson lead a strong line-up of chefs, restaurants and farmers who are taking part.

"The festival will be free and the approach will be creative, participatory and humorous."

There will be six 'field-to-fork' marquees, which will form the centrepiece of the festival, showcasing meat, dairy items, fruit and vegetables, bread, honey and herbs and spices.

There will also be a walkabout theatre, farm animals and rare breeds, a medieval feast and a farmers' market of local, organic and Fairtrade produce.

The festival will also be sponsored by the Midcounties Co-op, which has donated £7,000 as well as items in kind.

Co-op spokesman Sarah Buy said: "When we heard plans for the children's food festival we wanted to lend our support because this is such an important issue.

"We have sponsored other events including the East Oxford and Headington festivals and this one is particularly exciting because the earlier that children can be inspired about choosing healthy, delicious food, the better."