A VEGAN food festival will launch this Saturday in the hope of meeting increasing demand for alternative dishes.

Ethic Collective, set up by friends Philippa Stannard and Melony Lawrance, is set to take place on Station Hill from 10am.

It is hoped that the festival will become a monthly feature in the town’s food calendar, offering a wide range of healthy dishes, desserts and artwork.

Philppa said: “Melony and I set up Ethic Collective last year with a shared desire to provide an alternative, ethical consumer experience in Reading, which supports local and small businesses.

"We are delighted that Stanhope has given us the opportunity to develop a dynamic retail hub at Station Hill and give platform to the talented community of vegan and ethical businesses in Reading through our monthly market.”

Further dates are already confirmed for April 28 and May 26.