BOOKINGS for next year's Flavours of Herefordshire Festival are now open.

And charges will be introduced for those visiting the popular event in order to ensure its survival.

Next year's event – which will be the tenth festival – is lined up for August 29, 30 and 31 on Castle Green.

Exhibitors hoping to attend can visit flavoursofherefordshire.co.uk/exhibitor-information and apply before April 30 2015.

The food pavilion stands are sold on a first come first served basis and priority is given to ensure a minimum of 70 per cent of exhibitors are from Herefordshire and the border counties.

The festival – which is organised by Visit Herefordshire and contributed £3 million to the local economy – will be charging £3 per adult or £5 for all three days.

Entry will remain free for those under 16.

More than 38,000 people attended this year's event over the Bank Holiday weekend.

And figures showed that 90 per cent of visitors stayed for more than two hours with 41 per cent spending more than £50.

Exhibitor feedback was excellent with 89 per cent of exhibitors ranking the Festival as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ and financial benefit scoring 82 per cent.

Follow the Flavours of Herefordshire Festival on Twitter @Flvrs_Hrfs_Fest or on Facebook at facebook.com/FlavoursOfHerefordshireFestival