SOMERSET’S food and drink producers are being offered a major chance to showcase their wares to thousands of people – and all for free.

Burnham Food and Drink Festival is returning at the end of May, and is offering fledgling firms the chance to win one of five free trading pitches.

With in excess of 7,000 people attending last year’s successful event, the five winners could be landing a lucrative opportunity which could transform their future prospects.

Festival director Sarah Milner Simonds said “Through the food and drink festival we have shown our commitment to supporting local traders to build sustainable businesses and now we want to help new businesses make their first steps into trading.

“We recognise we have an opportunity to assist in developing the skills, abilities and knowledge of all food and drink producers.”

Fellow director Beverley Milner Simonds added: “The scheme is designed to encourage business start-up and self-employment within Somerset.

“We are providing up to five discretionary bursary awards for pitches at the festival.

“We had a great footfall at each of the 2013 festivals and we hope that opportunity will be seized on by new traders.”

Jay Webley, of The Chilli Alchemist, was a winner in a similar contest last year, and said feedback from the festival helped stimulate business ideas.

He said: “I was so pleased to be offered a bursary from Burnham Food and Drink Festival, as it provided me with an opportunity to start building my customer base.

“Having invested heavily, the financial respite was most welcome and a brilliant idea that should be encouraged and adopted by other event organisers.

“I had a great day trading at the last year’s festival; the feedback from customers was great and the support from other traders really encouraged me.”

The bursaries for May 24’s festival are open to food and drink producers who have not previously engaged in public retail trade.

Applications must be submitted before March 14, and can be downloaded from www.burnhamonseafoodfestival.org