Foodies and music lovers can get a taste of what is to come at a charity fringe event before a major food and drink festival.

The Richmond Food and Beer (Fab) Festival will celebrate all things food, drink and music when it comes to Richmond during the August bank holiday weekend.

A fringe version will get punters’ taste buds tingling when the Fab Festival opens the Richmond Riverside Festival next month.

TV presenter and chef Paul Merrett will be demonstrate on the kitchen stage on Sunday and sign copies of his books.

For beer-lovers, brew expert Melissa Cole will talk about beer styles, the brewing process and how to match beer to food, as well as signing copies of her book.

The fringe festival, where bands including the Blue Bishops, the Others and the Mustangs will provide the music, will support the Richmond Foodbank.

Bob Kimmerling, director of the Foodbank housed in the Vineyard Community Centre, said: "We desperately need a vehicle because we are carting tonnes of food to and from places all the time."

Representatives from the foodbank will set up a stall on the riverside and speak to visitors about the work it does to feed families in poverty in Richmond.

Mr Kimmerling said: "The festival is new for Richmond and it is hoped it will be annual.

"They do this festival around the country and are very successful.

"I think the local authority is keen to support this and it has been very good for the town and good for us as a charity.

"There will be celebrity chefs giving demonstrations alongside us who will show people the kind of food a family in food poverty would recive. We are very grateful they have chosen to support us."

Richmond Food and Beer Festival; Old Deer Park, Richmond; August 23 to 25; 10am to 10pm; £12 to £40; richmondfoodandale.co.uk.

  • Fringe event - August 2 and 3; Richmond Riverside; 11am to 6pm; Free.