The much-anticipated Medway Food and Drink Festival has been rescheduled for next Spring, after being cancelled in the wake of the Queen's death.

The first of its kind in Medway, the new festival had been scheduled to take place in Rochester Castle Gardens from Friday September 17 to Sunday September 18, but will now be held from Friday March 31, Saturday to Sunday April 2 next year.

Organisers aim to "cook up a storm of alfresco dining, live entertainment, a selection of stalls, comedy, children’s entertainment and live music in Rochester Castle Gardens."

Jewellery, food, craft, drink and homeware stalls will be set up in the castle gardens for the weekend and there will be live entertainment, including kitchen demonstrations with talented culinary experts.

There will also be a child-friendly area, including interactive learning, music and games.

The food festival will be a ticketed event, with separate evening entertainment tickets also available, for adults only.

Tickets will go on sale from Saturday October 1 and will be available to buy on Zoom Event’s website.

Ticket-holders will be offered free entry to the Rochester Castle keep, and enjoy views from tallest Norman castle in the country.

English Heritage members will be able to grab reduced tickets ahead of the weekend, and be able to use a separate entrance to the festival.

Further details, including a list of stalls and acts, will be released closer to the festival.

Medway Presents more than 30 festivals and events throughout the year and the Medway Food and Drink Festival will set the path for the spring and summer events of 2023.

Following the food festival, The English Festival will return to Medway on Saturday, April 15, before the much-loved Sweeps Festival will round up springtime at the end of April in Rochester High Street.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “We were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II.

"As the festival had been due to be held during the national period of mourning and Rochester Castle Gardens was the designated location for floral tributes, the event was postponed.

"I’d like to thank residents and ticket holders for their understanding.

“I am delighted that the festival will take place in Rochester early next year, to give residents and visitors to Medway the chance to enjoy the best of local, national and international cuisine and refreshments. I look forward to seeing residents of all ages enjoying the family friendly festival, as part of our aspiration to be a child-friendly city, putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do.”

To find out more about events in Medway, click here.

Further information on the Medway Food and Drink Festival will be available in due course.