Organisers of a hugely popular food festival have confirmed this year's autumn event will be going ahead.

Exactly a year ago, the team behind Broadstairs Food Festival, which typically attracts more than 30,000 people over three days, made a desperate appeal for funds admitting there was a "black hole" in the budget.

This was caused by the cancellation of last year's Easter and October events due to the Covid pandemic, leaving its future in jeopardy.

More than 100 exhibitors, specifically independent producers and businesses, usually have stalls, but with the festival pulled, it left organisers counting the cost.

Event director Jo Scott, at the time, admitted its future hung in the balance unless they were able to raise the funds.

"The cost of staging the event is almost met through traders' pitch fees - capped at a level that enables independent producers to exhibit," she said.

"We deliberately do not invite national corporates even though they may have deeper pockets as our aim is to support Kent and its producers.

"However, their traders fees do not cover core costs such as corporation tax, insurance, accountancy, event management and a myriad of office costs.

"These costs are met by local authority grant aid, business sponsorship and our invaluable Pop-a-Pound donations at the event.

"With events cancelled none of the above come our way, leaving core costs and the future of the festival in jeopardy."

But now it has been announced that the much-loved festival will be back in the autumn, from October 1-3 in Victoria Gardens.

In a statement on Facebook, festival organisers said: "We'll be back doing what we do best.

"Three days of regionally produced food, drink and - new for 2021 - arts and craft.

"All systems go then."

The festival line-up is almost full with stallholders already, although there are a few spaces left for chocolate and fudge producers

Stalls include hot food and drink, including confectionary, baked goods, sausages, cheese platters, cider, beer and gifts.

There is also a live music area on the adjacent bandstand, ticketed Taste Workshops and a Children’s ArtHouse.

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