Top food and drink buyers from across the UK will visit Nairn today (Wednesday 23 February) to sample some of the finest produce from the Highlands and Islands.

The one day buyers forum, is the first event of its kind to be held at the Highland Conference Centre in Nairn and has been co-ordinated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) - the development agency for the north of Scotland.

The forum is the largest gathering of food and drink producers the area has seen bringing together 26 companies from all parts of the Highlands and Islands, including Shetland, the Hebrides, Argyll, Ross-shire and Moray.

The event is part of HIE's 'Food Connections' programme which helps the area's producers increase sales and forge effective long term relationships, with some of the country's top retail and catering establishments.

Over the past 3 years, the programme has generated around £2.8 million (pounds) of additional business for more than 90 Highlands and Islands food and drink producers.

HIE's senior executive for food and drink, Kevin Gruer said: "The food and drink industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the highland economy, with a recent report indicating exports alone rising by over 20% in the last 4 years. The sector, excluding whisky is worth £1 billion annually to the area's economy.

"Buyers events like this help local food and drink producers in the area meet influential buyers in a very time and cost efficient manner."

A buyer from Fortnum and Mason - the exclusive London department store whose food hall stocks some of the finest provisions from around the world will attend the event, along with others from quality retailers and caterers from around the UK.

Fortnum and Mason's provisions manager Jonathan Miller said: "Today's event allows us to meet many businesses in a very short period of time, often quality producers who don't visit the top food exhibitions."

"Events like this are more focused than trade exhibitions, giving much more time to hold discussions with those exhibiting."