OKEHAMPTON and District Chamber of Trade has announced that the Okehampton Festival of Food and Music will return this summer.

After two successful years of the event, the chamber has decided to hold the event again on Saturday, July 4.

The event, which celebrates local food and music, will take place throughout the town with even more food stalls and different styles of music than at previous festivals.

Donna Tombs, chair of Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade, said: 'Planning is going well and the event is shaping up nicely.

'The event taking place on July 4 ties in to 'Independents Day' — not America's celebration but an initiative promoting independent businesses and encouraging people to use independent shops in their communities.

'Okehampton is so good for independent shops we hope that they get as involved as possible.'

Cllr Christine Marsh, the town council's representative on the Chamber of Trade, said: 'With the first two years having been successful we hope that this year's event will build on that even further and deliver an even better festival for our community.

'There is lots planned to keep people entertained throughout the day.

'We have so much to offer locally in terms of food and music from our local food suppliers and farm shops to choirs, bands and music organisations.

'This is a way of celebrating that and recognising all that Okehampton has to offer.'

Entertainment will include the Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band, Troubadour's Garden, Okehampton Acoustic Club plus many more musicians wandering around the town and cafés. There will also be morris dancing throughout the day.

Cllr Marsh added: 'There will be stalls from Refresh Café and the Plymouth Inn right through to the eastern side of the town centre. There will be a whole variety of local food, local music and local stalls.

'We hope as many people as possible come and get involved.

'We've been talking with the Turning Tides Project and they are keen to get involved as are some college students so we really will have something for everyone.

'We are having a free draw with a prize of £20, with the entry forms encouraging people to go through the whole town centre to get the answers.

'So everyone should come along and get involved in what will be a great event.'

In the afternoon there will be traditional Devonshire cream teas in the Charter Hall and the judging of a baking competition for children.

At 7.30pm Wren Music's folk café will be in All Saints Church Hall.

The full programme for the day will be available over the coming weeks.

In the meantime if you would like to book a stall contact Michelle Flexman by email at [email protected]">[email protected] or if you or your business would like to get involved contact chamber representative Christine Marsh on [email protected]">[email protected]