The festival will run from July 12 to 19, highlighting the importance of locally sourced, seasonal food.

Several restaurants in the area are serving a range of special meals during the week, with an emphasis on local food.

Sue Nicholls, who owns Amandines vegetarian restaurant in Diss' Norfolk House Yard, is offering a three-course meal for £20 on the opening night of the festival, with live jazz from the Gill Alexander Duo.

She said: "We are a vegetarian restaurant and our aim is to produce home-cooked food from scratch, using locally sourced produce as much as we can.

"Anything that promotes what we are doing here the whole time is a fantastic event to be taking place."

The restaurant has also invited some of its suppliers to take part in a courtyard market on July 12 as part of Taste of Diss, and will be supporting the festival further on July 15,16 and 17.

The Cock Inn at Fair Green, Diss, will be holding a hog roast on July 13, 7pm and – from July 14 to 18 – Mere Moments Cafe in Mere Street will be serving up Ailsa's Apple Dorset with warm cream and tea or coffee for £2.50.

No. 13, The Wine Bar will continue its monthly themed food evenings with a Tapas night on July 15 and Diss Business Forum is holding a networking dinner at the CK Steakhouse on July 17.

As well as hosting the Waveney Sausage Competition on July 16, the Burston Crown is holding a barbecue and busker's night the following evening and the Chip Kings Corner Diner in Diss is holding a games evening on July 18.

There are a number of visits available during the week, allowing people to understand more about how local food and drink is produced.

The Saladpatch in Aslacton is holding a market open day from noon until 4pm on July 13 and Valley Farm Vineyards in Wissett is offering free tours throughout the festival from 10am to 6pm.

There will be free tastings of local food and drink at Stuston Farm Shop on July 17 and people can call and arrange a visit to Becky Whatley's flock of sheep.

Lizzie and Nick Schaay are holding an open day at Common Farm, Burston, and Rushall Farm Shop will be offering tastings of such food as burgers, sausages and pickles on July 18.

The festival will also feature talks – Bill Starling will discuss organic food and The Soil Association at the Angel Cafe on July 14, Steve Mahony looks at bee keeping at the same venue on July 16 and Jacob Ecclestone will share his knowledge of allotments at Diss Library on July 17.

"Hats off to the organisers of Taste Of Diss for all the time and effort they have put into the festival," said the Amandines owner.

"It will make people think about what they eat and where they source their food."

And for dessert why not try some of these puddings...

Pudding lovers can enjoy a special evening as part of the Taste of Diss festival to try out a selection of desserts.

The Hoxne Swan pub is running a special Pudding Club as part of the week's events, with a theme of local produce.

Proprietors David and Jo-Ann Rye run the monthly club, which encourages diners to taste a wide selection of desserts and have teamed up with the food festival to give July's meeting a local feel.

The pub will also be running a special menu from July 12 to 19, using local produce to create its dishes.

The Hoxne Swan's Pudding Club will take place on July 19, 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £19.95 for a main course, selection of puddings and a freshly brewed coffee.

Tables are limited, so those interested should book early by calling 01359 668275 or email info@hoxneswan.co.uk