SOUTHAMPTON'S vegans were in for a treat this weekend as the city hosted its first large-scale festival for non-meat eaters.

With two floors of stalls selling everything from gluten-free cosmetics to soy wax candles and edible seaweed at Oceana, the event was a chance for everyone to find out more about the latest products on offer.

There was also yoga and meditation sessions and a chance to try out products as well as expert talks, cookery demonstrations and a kids zone with soft play for babies and toddlers as well as activities for older children.

Food nutritionist Tony Bishop-Weston, who gave a presentation at the festival, said: “People are hungry for more. Even a little vegan festival in Brockenhurst got visited by over 1,000 people.

“It’s a bit like stopping smoking. Once you’ve stopped it’s hard to rationalize why you did that or thought that in hindsight and with the benefit of a little new found logic.”