A GARDEN centre welcomed food and drink producers from the Forest and Wye Valley to its first-ever food festival.

Hundreds of people turned up for the festival at the Chepstow Garden Centre in Pwllmeyric over the weekend.

Among the attractions were burgers made by staff at the farm shop on the site, award-winning cider and cakes made in a farmhouse kitchen.

For the more daring there was also a “bush tucker trial” organised by Tsunami Aquatics which is based next door to the garden centre.

The festival also raised money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children of soldiers who have been killed.

Luke Rich, of Tsunami, said: “There are two trials various bugs to pick up such as locusts meal worms and crickets.

“Then there is an eating trial rhino beetle, silk worm pupae and meal worms. I’ve tried eating the bugs and they don’t taste too bad.”

There was also entertainment from local group Jazz Ladzz.

Garden centre manager, Richard Dartnell, said: “We’ve expanded the garden centre, the restaurant and the farm shop over the last few years and we wanted an event that everyone could be involved in.

“There are some fantastic producers in the area and this was a good opportunity to showcase what is available locally.”

He said the centre was planning another festival as well as other events.