Eat:Festivals will launch a virtual festival due to the spread of COVID-19.

North Somerset Times: Joe Heley from Exmoor Cider. Picture: MARK ATHERTONJoe Heley from Exmoor Cider. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Organisers Bev and Sarah Milner started the initiative to keep people shopping locally, but have cancelled a number of festivals to adhere to government guidelines surrounding large gatherings.

Eat:Festivals said: “This spring, because of the spread of COVID-19 through our communities, we have chosen to adapt by working with partners and hundreds of local food and drink micro and small businesses to deliver a virtual festival.

“Our hope is that, out of this very difficult time, we can develop a new phase of positive legacy for community resilience.”

Festivals from the end of July remain scheduled, but events cancelled include eat:Clevedon, eat:Weston, which will return on September 26, and eat:Burnham, which takes place on October 24.

North Somerset Times: Lee Langridge with a new sauce for the festival called Chimera Dragon, from The Wicked Chilli. Picture: MARK ATHERTONLee Langridge with a new sauce for the festival called Chimera Dragon, from The Wicked Chilli. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

For more information, visit www.eatfestivals.org

North Somerset Times: Ryan Bolton at his Big Bakes Bakery. Picture: MARK ATHERTONRyan Bolton at his Big Bakes Bakery. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Robert Hawker Venison at eat:Weston. Picture: MARK ATHERTONRobert Hawker Venison at eat:Weston. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)