I had a great excuse to get out in the sunshine this afternoon by attending the launch of the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival's Spring Harvest event.

Representatives from food and drink businesses across the city were present, celebrating the impressive hospitality on offer in the city.

The sunshine at the event reflected the optimism of those present, for the Festival represents a truly win-win situation.

It's good for the local economy, bringing in an estimated £4.1 million by attracting thousands of visitors to the city and boosting Sussex food and drink businesses.

It's good for the environment, highlighting the importance of buying local, keeping down the food miles and discovering the fantastic food that's available on the city's doorstep.

And it's good for residents, who get to find out more about healthy eating, and to sample all the delicious produce!

Highlights of the Spring Harvest include the Children's Food Festival in the Brighton Dome next weekend, Brighton's first ever Fish Festival and next weekend's Big Sussex Market in Jubilee Square, the largest free foodie event in the south of England. Full event details can be found at http://bit.ly/qejjdK.

Left-right: Chair of the Festival Roger Marlowe; Caroline; Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter Field; Paula Seager and Andrew Kay from the festival organising committee.