EXCITEMENT has been growing in Ledbury this week as traders join together to cook up a culinary delight.

Ledbury Big Breakfast, which begins this morning (Friday 31st) and continues into tomorrow (Saturday 1st), features more than 20 cafes, shops, hotels, pubs, deli's and markets in the Ledbury area.

The two-day event celebrates Farmhouse Breakfast Week and will offer a variety of choices for the most important meal of the day.

These vary from fruit smoothies to hearty Herefordshire breakfasts.

“There’s so much good food on offer, I can’t decide where to go for my breakfast," said Fran Robinson, chair of Ledbury Food Group which is the brainchild behind the event.

All the businesses taking part will be asked to create a special dish using local produce.

It follows on from a similar event last year.

"Last year it was very special and it's happening again whatever the weather," said Big Breakfast spokesman Griff Holliday.

He said he hopes the event will attract many visitors, with the town's MP expected to drop by tomorrow (Saturday).

Later today (Friday) the winning sausage in a competition run by the Trumpet Corner Café in Trumpet and Llandinabo Farm Shop in The Homend, Ledbury will be available to buy.

“We’ve had some interesting entries so far, including the quirky, the out of ordinary and the traditional," said Katie Rolfe from Trumpet Corner.

The event has a serious side, too, with organisers hoping it will make people realise the importance of breakfast to set you up for the day.

Some of the businesses taking part include Ice Bytes on The Homend, Mrs Muffins on Church Lane, and the Talbot on New Street.

Firms just outside Ledbury are also taking part including The Shop at Bromsberrow and the Trumpet Corner.

For those wishing to take a breakfast home, many of the butchers and food shops will have special offerings.

For the full list of businesses, and all the special breakfasts, visit ledburyfoodgroup.org

Ledbury Food Group is an independent body of volunteers who aim to champion the town as a centre for good, locally-produced food and drink.