A POPULAR Bishop's Waltham culinary event will make its return.

“Bishop’s Waltham Bites” on March 25 is the opportunity for participants to sample tasty treats prepared by local food businesses in the town centre.

For a fee of £5, food-lovers can sample delicious delicacies in eight different businesses.

With the participating outlets providing the samples for free, and promotion costs covered by a grant from The Southern Co-operative, all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Bishop’s Waltham Youth Club.

The group will use the money to fund an outdoor activity day at Marwell Activity Centre.

The huge popularity of the first event held in October 2016 has led the Bishop’s Waltham Town Team to organise this week's event and another on October 7.

Serving up tasters at the March event are Natural Deli, The Southern Co-operative, Giorgio’s Mediterranean Restaurant, Piccola Roma, Any Fish, Grover’s Butchers, Apple Crumble and Kitsch and The Crown Inn.

The event has been organised by Winchester City Council’s Market Towns Development Team in collaboration with the Bishop’s Waltham Town Team to support local businesses and showcase the abundance of restaurants, cafés and shops that the town has to offer.

City councillor Rob Humby, portfolio holder for business partnerships, said: “Partnership working is becoming an increasingly important part of how we work and this event shows how a collaboration between the City Council, a Town Team and a private company can reap benefits for local people, businesses and charities. It’s really exciting.”

Andrea Tudor, community and campaigns co-ordinator at The Southern Cooperative said: “We are proud to support this popular event which showcases local food and promotes local high street businesses. Our store will be serving up tasters of our ‘Local Flavours’ range which we hope will go down well.”

Tickets for this event are on sale now at Apple Crumble and Kitsch on Bishop’s Waltham High Street.