Credit-crunched shoppers will get twice as much for their money at this year’s Gwledd Conwy Feast food festival with free entry to Conwy Castle.

The castle will be part of the event for the first time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service.

“We are delighted that Cadw are this year allowing our visitors free access to Conwy Castle - this means that we can now include this world heritage site in our programme,” said Gwledd Conwy Feast’s director, Jane Hughes.

“The event is growing each year and an additional venue of this magnificent character will really increase the enjoyment of our visitors.”

Around 25,000 people a year visit the festival. It will be held on October 24 and 25 and ticket prices will be the same as last year at £4 per adult and free to under-12s.

“We want to say a big thank you to Cadw for this wonderful addition to our programme,” said Jane. “The inclusion of this venue to our event will double the value of the entry ticket without doubling the cost.

“With ticket prices remaining the same as last year, we believe we are the best value food festival in Wales if not the UK.”

It is also the most Welsh, said Jane, with 80 per cent of chefs, stallholders and visitors coming from Wales. The award-winning event has also been shown to contribute £1.2 million to the local economy.

Conwy’s 13th century castle, built for Edward 1, will host activities by the town’s medieval re-enactment group, Knights of Conwy. The castle’s towers and halls will also be used for a unique drama performance during the weekend.

Roy Williams, Head Custodian of Conwy Castle, said:“The Conwy Feast food festival is one of the highlights in Conwy’s events calendar and we hope the agreement to allow free entry by Cadw to the castle will make it even more of a great day out for tourists and local people alike.”

With more space on the quayside following demolition of derelict buildings there, the Feast’s main programme will expand in size.

As well as 100 food stalls and demonstrations by chefs such as the Feast’s patron, celebrity chef Bryn Williams, and S4C’s Dudley Newbery, a busking festival will also be held throughout the town.

The Farming for Food marquee, a mini farmyard featuring locally raised cows, pigs, hens, turkeys and geese, also returns to the quayside. Cooking the Books is another new addition this year, a marquee featuring cookbooks, food in literature and demonstrations.