HAMPSHIRE Ambassadors will attend a drinks reception to launch the Hampshire Food Festival on 29th June at Winchester Guildhall.

The festival is an annual celebration and extravaganza of local food and drink.

Organised by Hampshire Fare, the county food group, the festival includes more than 100 events and activities across the county between Saturday and July 6.

Chefs from five top Hampshire restaurants will be cooking signature dishes for the ambassadors, who spread the word across the UK and abroad about the county's main attractions.

Other event attractions on the day in Winchester Guildhall include cookery demonstrations, a special watercress promotion by festival sponsors Vitacress Salads and live music by the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra.

Hampshire Farmers' Markets will be holding its monthly showcase market - the largest in the UK - from 10am to 2pm on the same day.