The festival, which is the brainchild of Horsham District Council, runs through to October.

Originally launched in 2003 to support the many local producers in the district that were suffering from the knock-on effects of foot and mouth disease, it has grown in popularity each year with more people recognising the value of using local produce.

Stretching across the county, the festival includes more than 100 local businesses that are passionate about local produce. They're opening their doors to everyone with some incredible events, fantastic offers and local food and drink.

Said a spokesman for HDC: "With an increasing number of consumers wanting to know where their food has come from and how many miles it has travelled, a festival celebrating all that is good and great about local traceable food and drink from local producers, is just what the doctor ordered.''

The Big Nibble takes place in Horsham town centre tomorrow from 10am to 4pm.

Outside Horsham Town Hall, award winning chefs will be taking it in turn to cook delicious dishes in a portable kitchen, using local ingredients from the surrounding stallholders and shops.

There will be a Big Nibble Trail, starting with a farmers' market in the Carfax.

This year, there are three masterclasses in Horsham Town Hall.

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