The weather may have been damp, but mouths were on fire over the weekend.

Never mind hunting for chocolate eggs, it was more about tracking down a cup of water at the Fiery Food Festival on Hove Lawns, which continues tomorrow.

More than 30 stalls are exhibiting everything from chilli chocolate and beer to red hot chutneys and marinades.

Volunteers have sweated it out in daily chilli eating competitions spurred on by live music and comedy acts.

On the exotic menu for hot food enthusiasts were oysters and Tabasco, spicy cheese, ginger drinks and even chilli mojito cocktails.

But perhaps most distracting to the crowds was the tempting but terrifying test of the hottest chilli in the world, the Naga – which people needed a medical disclaimer to try.

Photographer Joel Armstrong, 26, from Hove, said: "It was incredible. I had the cystalline form of the Naga which is used in a sauce.

"I thought I had a reasonable tolerance for hot food but it left me in agony.

"I had signed a disclaimer and at times I actually thought I was going to die, but you do recover. Eventually.

"It pushed me to my limits though.

"I would definitely go back, it was good value for money because you pay £2.50 to get in but can sample as many things as you like.

"There are things you've never seen or heard of before and it is a good chance to learn.

"There were cooking demonstrations going on at the same time so you could see how things you were tasting could be used in the kitchen."

Despite the expectation that exotic hot food comes from tropical climes, a lot of the produce on show is from this country.

The Naga, which has out burned any other chilli in the world is actually grown in a poly-tunnel in Dorset.

If you haven't caught the festival over the weekend the fiery fun hasn't stopped yet - tomorrow there will be hours of music from Spanish pop-rock group Los Piratas, live comedy acts and the daily spectacle of a chilli eating challenge at 4pm.

What's more the exhibitors that really cut the mustard will be announced in the National Chilli Awards to be announced tomorrow afternoon.

For more information go to www.fieryfoodsuk.co.uk