Hikers packing their travel backpacks ready for an outdoor trip to Exmoor National Park could leave some extra room to take home food from the annual Exmoor Food Festival.

The event runs from October 1st to October 9th and includes local farm produce tasting, cookery lessons and an opportunity to forage for your own food in nearby woodland.

Rachel Kelly, organiser of the festival claimed that the event will explore interesting ways to cook and serve regional produce such as game, meat and dairy products.

Ms Kelly said: "The day will be spent exploring flavour combinations, structuring menus and creating individual dishes from seasonal produce and wild foods - and a little foraging if weather permits."

According to delicious magazine, 2011 has become the year of the forager, as an increasing number of people try to help the environment by reducing their food waste, as well as cutting monthly food bill costs.