ORGANISERS of a popular food festival have been nominated for three national awards.

Eat:Festivals in Burnham, Taunton and Wellington, – which is run by Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds – is in line for three awards by the National Outdoor Events Association.

The couple’s business stages five free events each year, with the Burnham-on-Sea Food and Drink Festival in May and October one of the major events in the town.

Now Eat:Festivals has been shortlisted as finalists in the Event Organisers of the Year, PR Campaign of the Year and Small Event of the Year categories.

Director Sarah Milner Simonds said: “It’s wonderful the festivals that started in Burnham are getting national recognition.

“They wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic support from our sponsors, partners and the team of volunteer stewards who make it all happen.”

The business launched in 2012 and the main Burnham event attracts 20,000 people to both the May and October festivals.

In 2016, the business took over the well-established Wellington Food Festival and introduced the Young Makers Market which offers free pitches to new business-owners aged 16 to 24 and a bursary for new food and drink businesses attending the event.

Alistair Turner, head judge at the awards, said: “The quality of entry has been greatly improved on previous years and some amazing events have applied. The strength of entries was excellent.

“It is a huge achievement for those shortlisted and we look forward to seeing who is named as winners in November.”

Councillor Anne Fraser, portfolio holder for economic growth at Sedgemoor District Council, said the council is ‘delighted’ to support the Eat:Festival when it hosts events each year.

She said: “We believe Eat:Festivals are worthy of national recognition for the job they do and wish them every success in the National Outdoor Events Association Awards.”