THE Swindon Chilli and Cheese Festival returns to Lydiard Park this weekend.

Food fans can sample all sorts of spicy and savoury treats - and, if they're feeling brave, try to tackle a chilli-eating challenge.

A variety of stalls from cheese and chilli traders will be selling their wares, a taste tent will supply a selection of sauces, and top professionals will show off their skills in cooking demonstrations and talk about their culinary inspirations.

Chilli Sid will be completing extreme heat challenges and talking about how to deal with their possible dangers.

Guests can have a go at a hot meal challenge, popcorn chilli challenge, Ready Steady Cook interactive cooking session, with the main chilli-eating competition being held on-stage in front of a crowd at 4pm each day.

The family-friendly fun on offer will include comedy and stunt performer Dan the Hat, a bubble party, a Punch and Judy show, funfair rides, crazy golf, magic shows, treasure hunts, balloon modelling and circus skills workshops.

Live music will be performed by Kirk Ensor, CS Fly, Borrowed and Blue, The Stayawakes, Fat Cat Soul and Emerald Falls.

Folk duo BoxSet will be playing on-stage as well as walking around the festival site with their guitar and accordion.

A festival spokesman said: "We are delighted to announce that the amazing Cheese and Chilli Festival is back in Swindon for 2022.

"The event is now in its fourth year [and] will bring an amazing array of tastes, colours and experiences to town.

"Come rain or shine, the event will be fantastic!"

"An array of lovely cheese and chilli will be available for you to sample and purchase. We are very lucky to be supported by some of the UK's leading growers, makers and manufacturers of cheese and chilli-related products.

"It’s a chance to come and try something new and learn something about these fantastic products.

 "In the chilli eating challenge, it’s quite a sight to see grown adults struggle to eat tiny fruits and hilarious to see the consequences!"

The festival will be held from 10am to 7.30pm on Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Under-15s get free entry. Tickets for one day cost £7 (adults) or £5 (concessions), both days are £10.50/£7, a flexi ticket for either day is £8.50/£6.

For more information, visit https://cheeseandchillifestival.com/locations/swindon/