The first ever Bath and West Food and Drink Festival has announced its official line-up.

The event will take place over the weekend of March 23-24, where the Royal Bath & West Society will host the inaugural event.

It will also host the 28th edition of the prestigious British Cheese Awards.

The festival is expected to kick off with TV presenter and former Great British Bake Off contestant, Briony May Williams, on the Farmhouse Kitchen Stage on Saturday morning.

Other notable appearances include food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden, as well as food writer and presenter Andy Clarke.

A highlight of the festival will be a cheese and cider pairing session hosted by Thatchers and Wyke Farms to celebrate the region's most famous and popular produce.

The Liver Cottage Mobile Kitchen will also host an unusual cookery demonstration, with comedy chefs Hugh Fearn and Lee Whittingstall preparing 'fusion food on the move'.

South West Farmer: The event will take place over the weekend of March 23-24

The Food & Drink Festival centres around the British Cheese Awards, where hundreds of the country's top cheeses will be put to the test.

The judging process offers an educational opportunity for visitors, who might even get to try some of the award-winning cheeses.

Judging for the Cheese Awards takes place on Friday, March 22.

The panel features some big names, including comedian and British Cheese Champion Marcus Brigstocke, author and cheesemonger Ned Palmer, cheese consultant and author Emma Young, and cheesemaker Mary Quicke MBE.

They will be led by head judge Tim Rowcliffe.

Alongside the judging arena, visitors will find a vast range of food and drink stands featuring some of the region's best producers such as Bath Soft Cheese, E18hteen Gin, Godminster, Purbeck Ice Cream and many more.

Younger visitors can enjoy the Little Foodies zone with creative crafts and activities, while adults can savour an array of beverages at the Farmhouse Tavern.

The Bath & West Food & Drink Festival will be held at The Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

Tickets are available to purchase at www.bathandwest.com/tickets, with more details available on the event's website.

You can also keep updated by following on social media: @royalbathandwest on Instagram, @bathandwest on X, @bathandwestshows on Facebook.

While the British Cheese Awards 2024 are accepting entries until Monday, February 19.

Further details can be found at www.britishcheeseawards.com.