Contestants needed for Warwick's first chilli-tasting day

The Warwick Chilli Festival will bring a day of food and family fun to Market Place - as well as a taster session for 25 contestants to sample some of the world’s hottest peppers.

Only one person has so far signed up to take on the challenge - and organisers are calling on residents to test their bravery by getting involved.

The chosen few will be tasked to taste a selection of raw fresh chilli peppers from the humble jalapeno to the hottest chilli of the moment - the Carolina reaper.

A spokesperson from the Holly and The Ivy food company which is behind the day, said the much anticipated taste test is now open for applications.

He said: “Places are limited due to the availability of the chilies and the time restraints set upon us.

“So all you chilli heads out there get your application forms filled in to ensure a place on this first event.”

“We will also have representatives from the Red Cross or St John Ambulance in attendance for any medical emergency and also a good supply of full-fat milk.”

The festival is being run in partnership with food company, Holly And The Ivy and Warwick Rocks and is the latest in a long run of similar days across the West Midlands.

Warwick Rocks has described the first day if its kind in the town as “a celebration of everything hot, hot, hot” with calls for support to make the events a success.

Applications are now open and places will be handed out on a first-come-first-served basis. All entries must be made by June 20, sign up online here.

The day will mark a selection of new events in the town as Warwick Rocks gets ready to host a series of new schemes this year.

The first Fringe Festival will be launched in August, and an Oktoberfest in the autumn to help pull in visitors to the town and help boost independent businesses.

The popular Chocolate Festival will return for a second year in November after a sell-out first day last winter where stalls ran out of produce within hours of opening.