THOUSANDS of people enjoyed a wide range of tasty treats and produce at the weekend.

The annual Worthing Food and Drink Festival returned to Steyne Gardens in the town centre on Saturday and Sunday.

Worthing held its very first festival in 2012 and organisers say it is getting bigger and better very year.

The popular event is organised by the Worthing Town Centre Initiative in partnership with the Proto Restaurant Group.

This year’s festival proved to be a real flavour of the seaside with something to tempt every palate.

There were about 50 stalls set up in the gardens and the area was packed with visitors throughout both of the days.

A number of local chefs were on hand to create their signature dishes and there were plenty of different types of food to try.

Yesterday, Yuki Gomi, author of Sushi at Home, took to the stage to demonstrate how to make sushi and offering some tasters.

Worthing mayor Alex Harman also turned up to sample some of the goods on offer.

As well as the stalls and cookery demonstrations there were also competitions, and children’s entertainment was provided by the award-winning Blast Science team.

The Brighton-based organisation provides extravagant and entertaining science shows at events and schools.

A spokesman for the Worthing Town Centre Initiative said: “This event is a celebration of the food and drink offered in Worthing with many of the local restaurants and bars taking part. Worthing now has an amazing culinary offer with more than 140 places to eat and drink in the town centre alone.

“We are fast becoming a food destination with many of our restaurants and bars now receiving regional and national recognition.”

The town centre initiative is a community interest company that generates revenue from activities it organises and uses it to enhance and promote the town centre.