Rock Oyster Festival 2012

A boutique food and music festival returns to the banks of Cornwall's Camel Estuary in June, with organisers promising a line-up of top chefs and critically acclaimed music acts.

Now in its third year, The Rock Oyster Festival is a family-orientated food, music and arts festival.

The event will run from Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24. Held in the grounds of Dinham House near Rock, North Cornwall, the festival will showcase some of the county's best food and chefs, acclaimed headline music acts and a full programme of kids' activities.

Event organiser Charlie Anderson said: "The Rock Oyster Festival is all about celebrating the delicious artisan-produced food and drink that we have here in Cornwall in a light-hearted and fun environment.

"We are making these amazing foods accessible to everyone, where else can you feast on a plate of food prepared by top chefs for a fiver?

"Moving the festival to Dinham House has been a great success. It's an absolutely stunning location, plus we have the space to fit in more food providers, more entertainment and on-site camping."

New for 2012 is the addition of a chefs' demonstration theatre, where some of Cornwall's most talented chefs will host cooking demos over the weekend.

Confirmed to appear so far are Stephane Delourme and David Sharland from Rick Stein's The Seafood Restaurant, James O'Connor from St Moritz Hotel, Tom Scade from Tides at The Mariners, Rock, Andy Appleton, head chef at Fifteen Cornwall and star of BBC Two's Great British Menu, Paul Ainsworth.

Festivalgoers will also see their favourite chefs compete in the famous oyster shucking competition, where they will go head-to-head to present perfectly prepared fresh oysters in the fastest time.

Organisers have already confirmed half a dozen alternative music acts from around the world, including Friday night headliners the Dub Pistols, who were voted the best live act of 2011 by DJ Mag, and the Mercury Prize-nominated band The Bees.

The Bees have been confirmed as a headline act at this year's festival

Charlie added: "We're hoping to be able to announce another headline music act to join the fantastic bands we already have confirmed to play at the festival.

"The event has always made a point of booking quirky musicians who know how to put on a great show and get their audience dancing. Music that is guaranteed to put a grin on your face."

A limited number of discounted weekend early bird tickets are now available from the festival website, at the rate of £40 per adult, with under-17 weekend tickets priced at £10.

For more information and to buy tickets visit: www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk

The Dub Pistols will be headlining at the 2012 Rock Oyster Festival at Dinham House.