Falmouth has yet again celebrated the start of its unique oyster fishery season with four days of cookery demonstrations, music, food and fun.

The 20th annual festival packed in the crowds with visitor numbers exceeding 40,000, an estimated 25,000 oysters consumed and over 1,000 bottles of sparkling wine and Champagne enjoyed.

The event officially opened with the Oyster Man leading a parade of local school children into the marquee at Events Square who delighted visitors with their singing and poetry.

It was then over to Chris Eden, who shared his Michelin-starred culinary skills with a captivated crowd, while cooking for discerning food critics from Falmouth’s five primary schools who sat at the chefs' table.

As well as the demonstrations by local chefs, the daily programme included musical performances and the local craft and food marquees, while Skinners and South West Bars supplied liquid refreshment and St Michael’s Hotel and Spa, hosted the Seafood Bar alongside Les Angell and his team on the Oyster Bar.

Friday's Grand Oyster Parade, made up of pupils from local schools, was a mass of sound and colour; Nick Hodges reclaimed the Hot Chef Challenge; the sought after oyster shucking champion title went to Chris Kinder; the large Working Boat Harbour Race was won by the Carter Boys in Nellie May; the small Working Boat Race by Adam Bird in Leila and winners of the oyster dredging boat race, were dredgers Alf Smithers and Mystery.

The evening entertainment proved to be extremely popular and Saturday night’s birthday bash was celebrated with a turn out of 800 people. This year the three charities supported by the festival, Fishermen’s Mission, Children’s Hospice South West and ShelterBox, supported by fundraiser extraordinaire Betty Stogs, benefited from over £2,500 raised.

Festival director Mike Rangecroft, said: “Once again locals and visitors have thronged to this year’s festival in their thousands. It is particularly pleasing that in our 20th year we get such amazing support and the festival still remains the highlight of the Westcountry’s autumn programme of events.”

The infamous Falmouth Marine Band and The Oggymen sang out the final afternoon to a wonderful atmosphere now synonymous with this "unique and very special event."

Next year's Falmouth Oyster Festival will take place from October 12 to 15.