A HEREFORD family who are setting up a new food festival in the city said they have been overwhelmed by the response.

Two couples- Sophie and Adam Sherief and Steve and Jacqui Pugh- are organising the Hereford Food Festival this July at the city's racecourse.

Mother and daughter, Jacqui and Sophie, have run Diva Weddings and Events Ltd for five years and held many wedding fayres in and around the county and nationally.

Sophie said: "We really wanted to do something for the local businesses and the local people and get them together in one place to make it a really big celebration of Herefordshire.

"There are so many food and drink suppliers on our doorstep and we wanted to promote that."

As well as food and drink stalls, there will also be live music throughout the weekend from county musicians.

They set up a Facebook page under the name, Big Bull Events Ltd, three weeks ago and have been inundated with enquiries.

Sophie said: "The response has been phenomenal. In less than three weeks we are over half full for food and drink vendors.

"We have had over 100 musical acts apply."

At the festival, there will be free masterclasses by chefs, butchers and bakers, and there will be between 80 and 100 producers selling their goods.

They are also providing a children's area and will be also raising money for three charities- a military charity, The Little Princess Trust and a breast cancer charity.

Sponsors have already stepped forward to support the event which will run on July 1 (10am to 7pm) and July 2 (10am to 6pm).

The entrance price is yet to be set but it will be no more than £5 and kids will go free.

Jacqui said: "We have run events at Worcester Racecourse. And with the Hereford Racecourse re-opening, we want to promote them too."

Steve added: "We love the city and the county and we want to be able to promote to everybody what fantastic food and drink and music goes on around here."

Find out more at facebook.com/bigbullevents