The start of the UK watercress season will be marked with the 22nd annual Alresford Watercress Festival on May 17.

The Watercress Company has responded to calls for “more watercress!” by opening Manor Farm to tours all day, with live entertainment while visitors wait.

For the first time, cars can be parked on the farm, for £15 - which also entitles visitors to a tour, the live entertainment plus a return trip into Alresford on the shuttle bus to enjoy the rest of the festival. Tickets can be booked at www.watercressfestival.org

Tom Amery, managing director of The Watercress Company, said: “We have been involved with the festival from day one and regard it as a vital way to educate the public about this incredible superfood.

“We ran a handful of tours last year, but they proved so popular we decided to dedicate staff to them for the whole day so hundreds more people can get a better understanding of how watercress is grown.

“We hope to generate several thousand pounds from the parking fee, all of which will go to Abby’s Heroes, the festival’s official charity.”

The World Watercress Eating Championships will move from 3pm to 1pm, so potential contestants who previously could not stay until the end can participate, and the festival will have a musical finale.

It will still start with the crowning of the Watercress King and Queen and their procession down Broad Street as they dispense bunches of freshly harvested watercress.

Festival manager Claire May said: “Plans are well underway to make our 22nd festival the best yet.

“The organisers, and all our amazing volunteers, can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Alresford for another day of mayhem and wonderful watercress! It’s a fantastic day out for the whole family and we hope to see you there.”

For more information visit www.watercressfestival.org