MORE than a dozen Helensburgh eateries have signed up to the town's first ever food and drink festival – and hopes are high that more will follow before the event takes place next month.

The event, 'A Taste of Helensburgh', will see participating cafes and restaurants put on a series of special events on their premises between August 16 and 19.

The festival's dates have been moved back a week in the hope of capitalising on the extra visitors expected in the town for the Argyll Gathering, the major music and arts festival being held at Ardencaple on August 19 and 20.

The special events are expected to include signature menus, cooking demonstrations, live music and entertainment and – hopefully – a 'Great Helensburgh Bake-Off', capitalising on the UK's blossoming enthusiasm for cakes and puddings as created on prime-time TV.

The festival was the brainchild of members of Helensburgh Community Council and is being organised by HCC member Nigel Millar and Burgh resident and marketing professional Roger Ferdinand.

Mr Millar confirmed that more than a dozen businesses had given a firm commitment to support the event, and said he was hopeful more would follow suit.

In a joint statement they said: “We are delighted at the positive response to A Taste of Helensburgh from our restaurant and cafe owners.

“All have worked extremely to get to where they are today and want to show everyone just what they can do.

“It is they who have put the town on the map as a food destination and they deserve all the credit they can get.

“A Taste of Helensburgh is their show and Helensburgh Community Council is proud to promote them.”

As revealed in last week's Advertiser, one of the attractions during the course of the festival will be young Helensburgh musician Louis Page, who will be performing at the Mira Mare Italian restaurant on West Clyde Street on Friday, August 18.

Louis' Helensburgh date will follow hard on the heels of his appearance on the 'busking stage' at the Belladrum Tartan Heart music festival near Inverness early next month.

Mira Mare's owner, Rafael Ojuez, said: “The idea of the festival is to embrace the efforts the town is making to put Helensburgh on the map as a destination for good food, and I was happy to sign up.

“Louis and his family are regular customers and the progress he's been making has been great.

“He's really passionate about his music and we're looking forward to having him play.”

* More details of the restaurants and cafes who are backing A Taste of Helensburgh, and the events which will take place during the festival, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.