IT'S that time of year when the Abergavenny Food Festival takes over the Market Hall in town.

Kicking off the proceedings in style is the regular twmpath, featuring ceilidh band rig a Jig who will be performing throughout the night in the festival's specially decorated setting.

Also appearing is a talented line up of local artists performing spots throughout the evening. They include an all-female a cappella group singing four-part harmonies and the Eliza Carthyesque ensemble of Lucy Rivers, Eddie Jay and Rachel Eaton on fiddle, guitar and accordion.

Once you've worked up a thirst, Forest of Dean brewers, Freeminer, are on tap for refreshments and for the hungry hot and cold refreshments are available from Joanna Nicklin of Harry's Bar.

Doors open at 7.30 pm tonight.

Top comic on the stand-up circuit, Milton Jones, is playing the Abergavenny Food Festival on Saturday at the Borough theatre.

Milton Jones is already well known to viewers of Channel 5's Comedy Store and to BBC Radio4 fans of the Very World of Milton Jones, now in its third series. The off-the wall comic is providing some of the entertainment at the four-day celebration of food.

Hailed as 'King of the surreal one-liners' by the Times, the actor and comedian was winner of the prestigious Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1996 for his first solo show.

Details of the show are a closely-guarded secret although there have been hints of a food theme in his chaotic world.

As he says himself: "I am attending the festival to share the meal I have made of my life, I shall be preparing a sumptuous feast of nonsense fashioned from the stale Welsh cake of my existence."

If you're more in the market for laughs over pints the Hen and Chicks Pub in town is playing host to Ian Marchant, known to many as the front half of comedy duo Your Dad. He has just completed his comic novel 'The Battle for Dole Acre' about a downshifting chef. Also on the bill in the same slot is Andrew Jefford who has a culinary take on Jonathan Swift's biting satire A Modest Proposal.

So if you want to put your feet up and unwind after a hard day's sampling Abergavenny's finest fare, hurry along to the Borough Theatre or the Hen and chicks. All bookings through the Borough Theatre Box office on 01873 850805.