THE organisers of eat:Festivals are on the search for new businesses to trade at their food and drink festivals.

The team is looking for the cream of the crop to join the #eatfestivalsfamily for the 2020 events across Somerset.

Organisers have 17 festivals planned for next year in Portishead, Weston-super-Mare, Nailsea, Clevedon, Castle Cary, Burnham-on-Sea, Taunton, Wellington and Minehead.

Sarah Milner-Simonds, co-organiser of the festivals, said: "We pride ourselves on the quality of the local producers we bring together at our festivals.

"We have a great range within the #eatfestivalsfamily, but we want to ensure we are giving new entrants the opportunity to trade at some of the biggest and busiest food and drink festivals in the UK, right on their doorstep. We have high standards and are here to help.

"We have explained our sustainability and election criteria in detail online and are available via email to answer any queries from new businesses.

"We are looking forward to this years festivals in nine Somerset towns and hope to showcase some fresh talent to our thousands of visitors.

"In addition we have supported new traders with the bursary, sponsored by Thatchers Cider previously and will call for interest in these shortly.”

Businesses who would like to apply should visit www.eatfestivals.org to learn more about each town, read their sustainability and trader charters and terms and conditions.

Applications need to be in before January 15.