THE best of Exmoor and West Somerset food and hospitality will be celebrated next month when the popular Exmoor Food Festival returns after an enforced break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Restaurants, pubs and hotels will be offering special menus, deals and guest chef dinners from January 25 to the end of February to showcase the food and hospitality of the area.

Organiser Elke Koessling Winzer, who runs Exmoor4all, the region’s largest online platform celebrating Exmoor, said: "After what has been a very difficult two years for the sector, it is time to enjoy eating out once more, in the knowledge that we are supporting family-run businesses who are doing their best to provide excellent food experiences in difficult circumstances.

"Exmoor has its fair share of outstanding chefs who are keen supporters of keeping food miles down, source as much produce as possible locally and support the local community.

"The Exmoor Food Fest is a great opportunity to escape from it all - spending some time to enjoy Exmoor in its winter glory, spot deer and Exmoor ponies, and then relax in one of the great pubs and restaurants."

Local establishments taking part in the festival include the Farmers Arms, Combe Florey; The Rising Sun, West Bagborough; The Royal Oak, Withypool; the White House, Williton; the White Horse, Exford; the New Coast Kitchen and Bossington Hall. For further information, visit exmoorfoodfest.com