Don't be shellfish: Oyster lovers meet at festival

Thousands of foodies are heading to Falmouth for the town's annual Oyster Festival.

Michelin starred chef Chris Eden is amongst the guest line up for the four day celebration of native oysters and seafood.

The oyster dredging season in Cornwall runs from October to March.

For over 100 years local fishermen have been sailing the waters of the Carrick Roads around Falmouth in traditional working boats.

Ancient laws to protect the river beds mean oystermen in the Port of Truro fishery are banned from using engines, and can only work the waters under sail and dredge the oyster beds by hand.

It's thought to be the only oyster fishery in Europe where such traditional methods are still used.

Chris Ranger is one of the Fal's young oystermen helping keep that tradition alive.Today he's selling his catch straight to customers as Falmouth's oyster festival rolls into town.

He says Falmouth's oysters are more sought after now they've been granted special status like Cornish pasties and clotted cream.

In the 1900's there was around 100 working oyster boats in Falmouth, now there are around 30.