FOODIES who turned out in force to support a week dedicated to good eating helped raise £500 for charity.

On Saturday the committee of Devizes Food & Drink Festival presented Mayor Roger Giraud-Saunders with £300 for his chosen charities of the Drews Pond Project, Devizes Budo Club and Devizes Almshouses.

Festival chairman Philippa Morgan and treasurer Dave Mitchell also gave £200 to Devizes Food Bank at the ceremony held in Devizes Town Hall. The charity provides food for people from all over Devizes, Marlborough and Pewsey areas struggling to pay for provisions.

Mrs Morgan said: "The food festival is all about promoting good food but we are aware there are some families struggling to even buy the basics. That is why we were pleased to be able to donate money to the Devizes Food Bank which does such a good job helping people get by when times are hard."

This year's festival in May included a wide range of eating opportunities and even attracted celebrity chef Marco Pierre White as a surprise guest.

Mr Pierre White popped into the Black Swan and ended up staying until midnight to sample an Argentinian fire pit hogget roast.

Mrs Morgan said: "This year's Devizes Food and Drink Festival proved to be a big hit with most events either sold out or near to selling out. With a full programme from May 16 through until 25, there was plenty of choice for food and drink lovers."

Major hits included the Lock In dinner at Erlestoke Prison where 35 guests were served by a team of staff and four offenders who are working towards the NVQ in catering.