IF YOU love food you're going to be in heaven for the next fortnight. For two weeks, the Hampshire Food Festival is celebrating local food and drink, taking in everything from farm walks, open days, farmers' markets, cooking demonstrations, free tastings, special local menus in Hampshire restaurants and, of course, lots and lots of eating and drinking.

The aim of the festival, which runs from tomorrow to July 11, is to raise consumer awareness about the range and diversity of Hampshire's food and drink business.

Now in its fifth year, the festival is bigger and better than ever and it provides a great opportunity for you to discover some new food or drink that appeals to you while making a contribution to the local economy.

There is such a wide range of activities on order that it would be almost impossible not to find something to suite your taste.

Perhaps the free Titanic Stroll appeals - after enjoying a glass of Hampshire wine, take a guided walk down historic Oxford Street, including The Imperial Apartments, steeped in Titanic history.

Or maybe you would prefer to go on a tour of Danebury Vineyard, which includes a barbecue lunch after a tour and tasting session.

There are even activities for children, like the 'Food, Glorious Food!' nature trail for children around Itchen Valley Country Park, which is taking place daily.

What's more, there's no reason to feel left out if you're on a diet - not only is much of the food and drink featured in the festival incredibly healthy but also, on Thursday, there's a special Eating for Health Talk taking place at the Hamble Community Sports Complex.

The festival incorporates the Hamble Valley Food and Drink Festival which includes lots of great events and competitions, including a chance to be a guest food columnist in the Southern Daily Echo!