PLANS are being laid for another Church Stretton Food Fayre, which promises to be even bigger and better than last year's.

Fayre chairman Bob Welch faces an agonising few months applying for funding but his committee has already set this summer's dates -- from July 9 to 11.

The 2003 fayre was Church Stretton's first and it won 11 of the 15 grants for which its organisers applied. Mr Welch is discussing funding with a number of bodies, including Heart of England Fine Foods and Shropshire County Council but is also on the look out for fresh sponsors.

Guided walks

Last year more than 50 stalls sold a wide range of local delicacies from wines to lamb and venison steaks. An estimated 5,000 visitors poured into town on a brilliantly sunny weekend to wander around more than 40 shops and eateries.

Mr Welch is keen to build on last year's Ale Trail, in which minibuses provided regular pick-ups at pubs in surrounding villages. This time he hopes to combine it with guided walks. However the awe inspiring Bungee Jump is unlikely to be repeated.

His committee is also responding to comments from visitors, who felt last year's event needed more of a boost towards the close. It hopes to finish this year's with an open air evening of music, food and dance.

"This is an event which brings in a lot of business to the area," said Mr Welch. "Many of the pubs last year said they had one of their busiest times and one even claimed a fourfold increase in trade. It brings lots of newcomers into town and we hope it will lead to repeat visits."