The Taste of Diss food festival, which has been organised by Slow Food Waveney Valley and Diss Business Forum, will run from July 12 to 19 – promoting local food and supporting the businesses that provide it.

It aims to involve individuals and organisations from across the community by offering a wide range of events across the local area.

One of the festival's organisers, Madeline Lees, said: "We've approached many local restaurants, cafes, food outlets and suppliers and everyone has shown so much enthusiasm.

"So we can look forward to a very full and exciting programme of events across the town."

The festival also aims to encourage food outlets in the area to use good quality, local produce wherever possible.

Organisers believe locally produced food is the answer people are looking for with the current economic climate and worries about carbon footprints.

"The growing movement towards local food is widely becoming recognised as one of the keys to a sustainable future," said Gary Alexander, leader of Slow Food Waveney Valley.

"Not only does it cut down on food miles, but it supports independent local businesses and makes the community more resilient in times of economic hardship."

Taste of Diss will be launched at Diss Farmers' Market on July 12, with street theatre and a fancy dress competition for children – where anyone dressed as a fruit or vegetable will win a prize.

On July 13, a family picnic will be held on Fair Green, with children's entertainment and a hog roast organised by The Cock Inn.

Then from July 14 to 18, a range of events will take place across the local area, including special meals at restaurants using local food and open days at some of the local breweries, vineyards and other producers.

The festival's finale will be on July 19, with a local food exhibition in Diss Corn Hall, featuring a cookery competition for professionals, amateurs and children.

The winners of the amateur class will get a trip to London, where they will work with the chef at the world-famous Lanesborough Hotel and have their dish on the menu for the day.

Mr Alexander said: "If any local clubs, groups or organisations, want to hold an event of their own as part of the festival, as a fund-raiser or just for fun, we'll feature them in our programme and help them get off the ground."

For more information or to get involved with the festival, call Madeline Lees, 01379 642470, or Suzanne Kayne, 01379 641388.

WebWatch: www.dissconnected.net

n The Diss Express will carry regular updates and features about the festival in the run-up to July 12, with comprehensive coverage of the Taste of Diss during festival week.