THE Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink is welcoming hen welfare charity, the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) to this year’s festival.

Jane Howorth, who founded the charity ten years ago, said: “We are delighted to be exhibiting at the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink and have watched the festival go from strength to strength over the years.

"It is very exciting to be part of the action and to be able to tell people about hen welfare and what a difference they can make simply by changing their shopping habits.

"Visitors to the festival will get the opportunity to meet some of our lovely hens, try their luck at our ‘Difficult Dozen’ quiz and also find out how they can save the lives of laying hens destined for slaughter.”

To celebrate their first year, the charity is giving Facebook users the chance to WIN 2 FREE weekend tickets to the foodie festival.

Simply like their Facebook page www.facebook.com/BritishHenWelfareTrust and keep an eye out for instructions on how to enter the competition.

The charity which re-homes commercial laying hens, also educates the public about how they can make a difference to hen welfare, and encourages support for the British egg industry.

Since its launch in 2005 the charity has re-homed over 450,000 hens from over 30 ‘pop-up’ locations run by volunteers across the UK.

Later this year the BHWT hopes to meet ‘Dee’, their soon to be 500,000th lucky hen - ‘D’ is 500,000 in roman numerals.

Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink 2015 runs from Friday 24 to Sunday, April 26 in Exeter Castle at Northernhay Gardens, with Festival After Dark parties from Thursday 23 running until late.

The three-day festival celebrates the outstanding food and drink of the South West, featuring more than one hundred regional producers, top chefs, workshops, live music and food-themed activities for all the family.

Now in its twelfth year, the Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink is supported by Exeter City Council. The festival is a not for profit event.

Tickets can be booked in advance and are available will be available online.

For more information or to buy tickets visit: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.