East Sussex, the county boasting the highest number of sunshine hours in the UK, could be said to be spoilt with the richness of its local produce. The biggest concentration of vineyards can be found here; two fishing fleets, one in Hastings - the largest beach launched fleet in the UK - and the other in Rye, hold Marine Stewardship Council accreditation for sustainable methods of fishing;  passionate food producers of local meat such as wild boar and Romney Marsh lamb are celebrated by local restaurants and festivals.

The setting for our local producers is the beautiful countryside of the High Weald and the ancient and picturesque Old Town Hastings and Rye – both of which once belonged to the Cinque Ports Federation. Maritime and medieval history (1066 and all that), coastal and countryside pursuits, gardens and castles, quirky shopping experiences and a strong artistic community, combined with top quality boutique accommodation, are what make this area the perfect visitor experience for those wishing to indulge themselves.

One of the elders of the stable* of the Rye Scallops Week , Wild Boar Week, Hastings Herring Fair and the Pevensey Food Festival is the Hastings Seafood & Wine Festival now in its nineth year.

The Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival, now in its nineth year, is a celebration of Hastings's sustainable fishery, its vineyards and excellent local food producers.

Attracting more than 20,000 food lovers to taste succulent dishes from over 30 food stalls - where local chefs conjure up a colourful array of flavours – the festival runs from 11am on the Saturday to 7pm on the Sunday.

Festivities take place in the atmospheric Old Town in the heart of the picturesque fishing and cultural quarter known as The Stade** with its historic Net Shops, and which is home to Europe's largest beach-launched fishing fleet***. The festival's now permanent home on the Stade Open Space also boasts the newly opened Jerwood Gallery, a prestigious collection of 20th & 21st century British art. Download a leaflet of the area here:

http://www.visit1066country.com/explore-1066-country/hastings/the-stade

Wander through the tents and marquees trying locally landed fish and wine from the award-winning vineyards around Hastings. Sussex and Kent are the two top wine producing areas in the country and here you'll find some of the best in the area.

Enjoy a Jazz Breakfast with a relaxed coffee and a croissant on the Sunday morning, musical entertainment from the cream of the local music scene throughout both days and walks and talks on the 1,000 year history of the Hastings' fishing fleet - with local fishermen doing net-making demonstrations. There really is something for everyone at this festival, which has fast become and established and eagerly anticipated event in the Hastings' calendar.

So that you can indulge, hop on one of the frequent fast trains from Charing Cross, Waterloo East, London Bridge and Victoria and then stroll the 15 minutes to the festival site or stay in one of the many local hotels and B&Bs. Do make sure you book early as repeat visitors may just beat you to it if you don't.

Among some of the other foodie delights of Hastings, the legendary Maggie's fish and chips can be found on the beach, Alastair Hendy has recently opened his homeware shop and restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, try Penbuckles for a superb range of Sussex cheeses and other local delights and Rockanore Fisheries for home smoked fish, next door to Webbe's at Rockanore, both with surely the shortest fish to plate miles in the UK.

For general information go to:

http://www.visit1066country.com/events/hastings-seafood-and-wine-festival-p582171

For more information on any of the above, or to discuss a press visit, please contact:

Jane Ellis: 01424 451113 jmellis@hastings.gov.uk

Notes to editor: * Pevensey Food Festival 30 & 31 August 2014; Wild Boar Week, Rye: 25 October - 2 November 2014; Hastings Herring Fair: November (weekend tbc); Rye Scallops Week: 21 February - 1 March 2015.

** 'Stade' is Saxon word for 'landing place' – an area that has been fished from for over 1000 years.

***The Hastings Fishery is accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council for the methods it uses to land mackerel, herring and Dover Sole.