More than 1,000 people attended an event in Huntingdon on Saturday which was held to celebrate the humble potato.

Organisers opened the doors of the Commemoration Hall 30 minutes early as a large queue had formed outside, and visitors, including gardeners, smallholders and allotment holders, were able to swap seeds, obtain advice about growing potatoes and enjoy potato-themed refreshments.

The event was organised by the Cambridgeshire Self Sufficiency Group, which was formed three years ago by Mick Matthews, the current chairman, who wants to raise awareness about eradicating house-hold waste and becoming more self-sufficient.

“We were very pleased with the turn-out as we have been running the event for six years and this was our most successful year yet,” Mr Matthews told The Hunts Post.

There were almost 50 varieties of potato on sale, but by 11.30 we had sold out of Charlotte potatoes and we started out with 50 kilos. We also sold onions for the first time this year, which went down really well.

Mr Matthews is organising several workshops throughout 2015, including cheese-making, hedge-laying and basket-making.

INFORMATION: For more details about becoming a member of Cambridgeshire Self Sufficiency Group, call Mick Matthews on 01487 710641 or email matthewsmick@live.co.uk.