From fiery chilies to creamy cheeses, vintage teas to pints of locally brewed beer, Acle's first tasty food festival proved a taste bud tickling hit with visitors.

Eastern Daily Press: Acle Food and Drink Festival.Ashley Jenner from Thr Norfolk Chilli farmAcle Food and Drink Festival.Ashley Jenner from Thr Norfolk Chilli farm (Image: ©archant2014)

Around 400 people poured into the hall at Acle Academy for the one day event organised by the parent teacher association.

More than 20 stall holders filled the hall with their tasty treats, while top chefs from across the county - including EDP chef of the year Mark Dixon - cooked up five star dishes in front of an eager crowd.

The team from Sainsbury's in Great Yarmouth laid on children's activities, budding master chefs put forward their cakey creations in a bake off competition and PTA members donned headscarves and pinnies to man a vintage tea room.

Bursting with home-made cakes and filled with the sounds of bygone tunes, the tea room proved an instant hit with visitors.

PTA vice chairman Suzanne Webb, event coordinator, said: 'It was absolutely manic and the comments were fantastic. People were asking do you rent it out.'

Other chefs joining the cooking line up was Richard Knights from Byfords who whipped up a chocolate torte, and then challenged GCSE food tech students to make their own in 15 minutes, in a Generation Game-style challenge.

Mr Dixon fixed up some fishy delights, including a seabream risotto which went down with the crowd, while Vanessa Flannery from the Pampered Chef cooked up both sweet and savoury dishes.

Mrs Webb said the cooking demos had gone down a treat with visitors and added to the busy atmosphere.

The festival was the main event in the PTA's 2014 calendar AND the organising team are now keen to make it an annual event.

'It was a really fantastic day and we're definitely going to do it next year,' Mrs Webb added. 'The stall holders said put me down I want to come back.'