It may be the depths of winter now, but here is something to look forward to – on May 18 it will be time to join the celebrations at the annual Alresford Watercress Festival.

This quirky celebration of the peppery salad leaf that helped to put Alresford on the map is an event which should not be missed.

It occurs in late spring to coincide with the start of the UK watercress season. The newly crowned Watercress King and Queen will dispense to the crowds some freshly harvested bunches of watercress from local farms where the crop has grown since Victorian times.

A raft of celebrity chefs will be waiting to demonstrate its versatility in anything from smoothies to salads, curries and even desserts – it is so much more than a garnish and is bursting with amazing health benefits.

More than 100 local food vendors from Hampshire Farmers Markets, plus independent craft stalls, will be selling their wares, many with a watercress theme, to compete in Barter’s Best, a competition for the most innovative use of watercress.

But for those who would like a better understanding of the plant’s unique growing method, tours of the watercress farms will also be available.

To help the day go with a swing live music and entertainment will take place throughout, while the much-anticipated World Watercress Eating Championships will again be the grand finale.

Organisers are still waiting with bated breath to hear whether or not last year’s winner, Glenn Walsh, can claim to hold the Guinness World Record for eating an 80g bag of watercress in the fastest time, 28.98 seconds. Either way, can that time be beaten this year? Sign up on the day to find out.

It is guaranteed to be a fun family day with something for everyone. Entry is free although there is a small charge for parking.

Alternatively visitors can use the unique park and ride facility and arrive in Alresford by vintage train on the Watercress Line, so called for its importance in Victorian times in getting fresh watercress to the markets of London.

Bags of watercress will be available throughout the day in exchange for a donation to the festival’s chosen charity, Abby’s Heroes, a local children’s cancer charity. Last year £5,837 was raised and the organisers would love to beat that.

A festival spokesperson said: “We can’t promise sun, but on only three out of 21 festivals has it rained - so keep everything crossed, put Sunday, May 18 in the diary and let the anticipation of a sunny day in Alresford get you through the winter!”

For recipes, visit www.watercress.co.uk, and for more information about the health benefits of watercress, visit www.thewatercresscompany.com