Exhibitors at this year's Taste of Grampian food festival are being urged to consider ways in which they can reduce waste.

Now in its nineteenth year, the event has seen a significant increase in exhibitors and visitors, including a growing offering of evening entertainment supplied by local street food stalls and pop-up bars.

Aberdeenshire Council is now asking vendors to cut down on packaging and use recyclable materials wherever possible.

Taste of Grampian chairman John Gregor, said: "I would really like to see a positive change towards a more sustainable Taste of Grampian.

"Last year, we targeted food waste and we hope to build on this and encourage the food and beverage vendors to use compostable and/or recyclable materials for their food to go at the event.

"Looking forward to next year and beyond, we would then like to see as many of the exhibitors using compostable and/or recyclable materials for their samples, food to go and packaging as possible."

The request follows similar initiatives at food festivals around the world. Earlier this year, a ban on disposable cups at Glasgow Coffee Festival meant 18,000 cups were saved from going to landfill.

Belinda Miller, head of economic development and protective services at Aberdeenshire Council, said: "We would like to see a reduction in single use plastic and we all have a vital role to play in the reduction of landfill waste, so let's help make a positive difference at Taste of Grampian and beyond."