"It has been fantastic", said organiser Garry Mortimer-Cook at the end of day one. "I am absolutely delighted with the French market packed full of fresh produce, its looking good, and there are lots of happy people here in the town."

French Fest fits into a calendar of council events including Piazza Italia, all designed to entice more visitors to the town.

Now in its third year, the strategy is paying off with people coming from ever further afield. Steve and Maria Prior from London came down especially for the occasion.

"It is really good", said Maria. "A lot better than we thought it was going to be". Steve added: "I think it is important for town's like this to do events like French Fest, I am from busy London and to come out to a lovely market town like this is very different"

The food is the highlight of the event and many people have visited the town to taste the many French items on offer, including dry cured meats and sausages, strings of garlic, and fresh fruit.

We spoke to a variety of visitors who were enjoying the many other fine aspects French Fest has to offer.

LES CREPE

Grace and Ellyse, 17 year old students from the College of Richard Collyer had been refused permission by their French teacher to spend the class at the event, but made sure they tried their favourite crepe during lunchtime.

"Its yummee", said Ellyse "My crepe is really good with Nutella in it!"

LA TARTIFLETTE

Zora Salim traveled up from Worthing and we caught up with her as she was finishing the traditional French dish from the Alps Tartiflette. "I have come here especially for the French market", she said. "I come every year. The Tartiflette is delicious, a lovely mild flavour with lots of nice bits and pieces."

LES GATEUX

Louise and Wendy Holmes from Henfield were taken by the cake selection on offer. Wendy said: "Lots of lovely things here, and we have just had a custard tart with plums which is absolutely delicious - and the service is lovely."

"Very French" added Louise "We had to speak French which makes you feel like you are in France on holiday"

LES FROMAGES

The cheese selection pleased Linda and Andy Macintyre from Southwater. "It is nice to get cheeses you cannot get in the local shops" said Linda. Her husband added: "I have bought various sorts of cheese, mostly raw cow's cheese. I'm not so struck on the really smelly ones though - I don't like those too much!"

LES BISCUITS

A pick and mix biscuit stall measuring nearly three metres occupied Becky and her family from Storrington happily for some time."The biscuit selection brings me back to holidays in France,", she said. "Especially my favourite Almond butter biscuits."

LA MUSIQUE

The French music is provided buy a variety of accordion wielding, and violin playing maestros. Claudio from Barnet in London has performed at every Fench Fest Horsham has staged. Although from Italy, he confided that 'Aujourd'hui je suis Claude.'

He continued: "It is very nice here, the council always put on a good show, with more and more musicians."

LES BANKERS

Emma Stringer from Burgess Hill and Sian Butler from Crawley both work at Natwest in the Carfax, and enthusiastically dressed up for the day.

"We are the only two in the branch who have", said Emma. "Although the branch manager has a drawn on moustache and a touch of eyeliner" she added giggling.

"The customers think we look brilliant ", said Sian. "But the French don't think we look good, not a good reception!"

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