Foodies hope to take over Tolworth and Thames Ditton next year as plans for the second Surbiton Food Festival take off.

The inaugural event culminated with racing sardines and a tug of war between ancient ‘clans’ on Saturday, May 18.

It was followed by a ‘Big Brunch’ throughout Surbiton on the Sunday.

Robin Hutchinson, the man behind the Community Brain, said: “It would be lovely next year to feel that every area of Surbiton, stretching down into Tolworth and Thames Ditton, have all got food events going on.”

Mr Hutchinson added: “Although we got a lot right this year I am sure that there were bits we didn’t.”

The festival spanned two weeks and combined independent food traders like C.D. Jennings butchers, The Pickled Pantry, The Surbiton Flyer and Fabuloaf, with arts and crafts enthusiasts and the YMCA to create a home-grown community event.

The sports day featured events such as relay and a tug of war, all with a twist imagined by the group behind Surbiton Ski Sundays.

Lucas Heathcote, who visited from Shoreham Beach, said: “I am loving it. The races are always a riot and without the races it is just a bunch of concession stands in a field.”

Alex Stacey said: “The sardine race was hysterical. It has been brilliant. It is a great family event and we loved the story-time.”

Folksy live bands, a beer festival, freshwater sardines and a village fete helped to transform areas such as St Andrew’s Square into a bustling cultural centre.

Raeburn Avenue resident Rike Jones said: “It was lovely. It is our first time here.

“I think our highlights have been the ambulance and the juggling. And I think Little Sister Blue the band were amazing.”

Organisers are keen to plan the next event.

There will be an open meeting to discuss the future of the festival, on June 3 at the Holiday Inn, Portsmouth Road.