A celebration of the best of Sussex food and drink kicked off yesterday.

The Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival's spring harvest launched at Hotel du Vin with an array of top producers laying on a sumptuous platter.

The launch was attended by Green MP Caroline Lucas, Mayor of Brighton and Hove Denise Cobb and Ryan Heal of the Rockinghorse children's charity who accepted a donation of nearly £4,000.

Guests sipped British bubbly from Ridgeview Wine Estate in Ditchling and frothy ale from Harveys in Lewes - accompanied by the brewery's own horse-drawn dray.

Star chef Michael Bremner, of Brighton restaurant 64 Degrees, served up cured mackerel canapés alongside bites from acclaimed veggie restaurant Terre à Terre and Hotel du Vin's in-house team.

The launch party kicked off a bumper weekend of free foodie events on Hove Lawns, including demos from Michelin-stared chef Stephen Crane, of Ockenden Manor, in Cuckfield, and Alun Sperring, chef at Asian restaurant The Chilli Pickle, in Brighton.

Other highlights include a masterclass in wine tasting from TV expert Olly Smith, the Great Brighton ice cream contest and a mix-off cocktail competition.

Meanwhile on Easter Monday a charity children's Easter Egg Hunt will be held in the Pavilion Gardens from 11am-2.30pm.

The festival is back on April 26 for the free Big Sussex Market on New Road, showcasing Sussex growers, producers and restaurants.

Festival director Nick Mosley said: “There are loads of fantastic free events coming up this weekend which we're really looking forward to.

“I look forward to seeing lots of people for the biggest and best festival yet.”