Thousands gathered to enjoy street food and sunshine at a popular food festival.

The Big Eat, held at Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley in May, has now been revealed to have attrated more than 40,000 visitors who sampled a variety of street food.

From burgers and loaded fries to Vietnamese, Korean, and Indian dishes, the event offered something for every palate.

Jeremy Gaskin, director of The Big Eat CIC, said: "We’re delighted with the response to this year’s event.

"Bringing the community together in support of a good cause has always been at the heart of The Big Eat, and it’s great to see how the festival has continued to grow.

"We’re now focused on building on this momentum to make next year’s event even better."

This year’s festival featured more than 50 food traders, 10 licensed bars, and a range of market stalls.

Special guests included MasterChef UK 2023 winner Chariya Khattiyot and Great British Bake Off star Christian de Vries, who served up dishes while supporting charitable causes.

Each trader donated a portion of their earnings to charity, raising a total of £15,000 for Hound Basics Food Bank.

Based at The Haven in Netley Abbey, the food bank supports people facing hardship in Netley Abbey, Hamble, and Bursledon by providing food parcels and essential household items.

The Big Eat also plans to donate funds to other nearby causes, including Canine Partners, a charity that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

Organisations that provided volunteer support during the festival will also receive contributions.

Snows Toyota, the event’s headline sponsor, hosted activities including a sushi-making workshop.

Olivia Snow said: "We were proud to support The Big Eat for the second consecutive year, especially as it's an event that truly champions and benefits the local community."

Following the success of this year’s festival, organisers have begun planning The Big Eat 2026 and are considering new additions such as a chef’s demonstration kitchen.

The event continues to grow in popularity and impact, bringing together food lovers and the wider community while raising funds for causes in need.