THE organisers of Burnham-on-Sea Food and Drink Festival are offering bursaries to new businesses to help them take their first steps into trading.

Eat:Burnham-on-Sea has teamed up with Thatchers Cider to offer producers a free pitch at the festival and support from organisers and designers throughout the year.

Sarah Milner Simonds, co-director of the festival, said: "We want local businesses to benefit from the festival.

"By partnering with Thatchers Cider we are able to offer a chance for new businesses make their first steps into trading.

"We recognise we have an opportunity to assist in developing the skills, abilities and knowledge of all food and drink producers.”

The bursary, sponsored by the fourth generation Somerset cider maker, is for food and drink producers who have not engaged in retail trade before.

Martin Thatcher of Thatchers Cider said the company was 'delighted' to support the festival organisers in offering the bursary. 

 “When my great grandfather first started making and selling cider, he did so on his own with a determination to succeed," Martin said. 

"No doubt had there been a local food festival in Sandford at the turn of the 19th century he would have been there. 

" We’re delighted to support eat:Festivals through this bursary to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit amongst our fantastic food and drink producers in Somerset."

Sarah Welland from Berrow Beef and Lamb is a previous receipent of the bursary and said trading at the festival last year was 'a massive boost' for the company.

"Being awarded a bursary to attend the festival was a massive boost for us at the early stages of establishing Berrow Beef & Lamb," Sarah said.

"We had access to expert advice on how to get the best out of the day, free publicity, as well as being able to trade for free.

"Due to the huge success it turned out to be, both in terms of sales on the day and follow up business, we intend being at every future festival."

Interested businesses need to complete a form on the festival’s website by February 23 to be considered and it is free to apply.

For more information or to apply visit http://www.eatfestivals.org.