Ready to feel the heat this summer? Then head to the Great Kent Chilli Festival which comes to Hole Park for the first time. Abigail Baker looks at the highlights.

For the first time ever a flavourful festival is coming to the county.

The two-day Great Kent Chilli Festival is jam-packed with chilli themed activities for all the family, ranging from cooking demonstrations and talks on growing chillies to a chilli cook-off and chilli-eating competitions.

So whether you’re a chilli enthusiast, food lover or just someone looking for a fun weekend, the Great Chilli Festival has something for everybody.

With live music on both days, featuring a Mariachi band, and a variety of activities for children including bouncy castles and a mini-carousel, you can be sure you’ll be very entertained.

And if you’re worried you won’t be able to handle the heat, there’s plenty of choice from the stallholders for those with a gentler taste palette.

On the Saturday there will be a chilli eating competition. Those brave enough can participate in the contest at 4pm.

There will be 10 rounds of increasingly hot chillies for the participants - and plenty of amusement for the spectators.

With two minutes to finish each chilli, participants can't drink anything during the competition.

On the Sunday, there will be a chilli cook-off competition, organised by the UK Chilli Cook-off Association.

Teams will get the chance to battle it out for the Kent title with four hours to cook a gallon of chilli-con-carne from scratch. There will also be a chilli eating competition at 4pm.

DETAILS

The Great Kent Chilli Festival will be held on Saturday, 30 June, and Sunday, 1 July, at Hole Park, Rolvenden, with gates opening at 10am and closing at 5pm. For more details and to book, visit greatkentchillifestival.co.uk