FOODIES got stuck in to some good independent grub at the annual Worthing Food and Drink Festival yesterday.

Thousands swamped Steyne Gardens to get their hands on some of the best foods the town has to offer at the event’s seventh edition, with many more expected today.

The festival has grown year after year, and this one could be the biggest yet.

Charlotte Green has been pitching up at the festival for the past three years, and at the end of play yesterday she had almost sold out of her goods.

She owns Charlotte’s Sussex Pickles and Preserves, selling her own homemade jams and chutneys.

Charlotte, from Findon, said: “The festival has gone so well and has been really busy – some customers stayed all day on Saturday.

“This is my third year doing it and it seems to be getting busier and busier.

“I love it – the atmosphere, customers and other traders.”

About 30,000 people are expected to visit over the entire weekend.

Charlotte believes the festival gives independent food businesses the chance to build a name for themselves as they compete with bigger brands.

She said: “It’s definitely good to help get your name out there.

“I think that once you’ve done something like this a couple of times people start to know you.

“I go to the Lancing Farmers’ Market and some of my customers from there came to see me this weekend.

“I also think people like to know things have been properly homemade.

“Food may be more expensive from independents, but I don’t think people mind that if they know what they’re getting.

“All the produce I use is organic.”

MasterChef 2018 champion Kenny Tutt, from Worthing, is due to turn out in his hometown today at 2pm to give a special 45-minute demonstration in seafood cooking.

He will also speak about his time on the hit BBC One series, in which he continually wooed the judges.

Entry to the event is free and it is running from 10am to 5pm.