The sounds of sunny Spain filled the autumnal air today at the launch of York's fourth annual Festival Of Food And Drink.

El Coro Rociero de Cajar de Granada, a choir from southern Spain, brought a little Latin light to the city streets as they joined in the first big event of the ten-day festival.

Fiesta Latina has been organised by traders based in The Quarter, the name given to the narrow streets at the back of Stonegate and Swinegate.

They hope to bring a flavour of the tastes, smells, music and atmosphere of the Latin world to the streets of York over this weekend and have organised a host of different events.

The choir were welcomed to the Quarter today by Ian Tempest, of the City of York Council's economic development unit, and Magda Chavez, president of the United Traders of the Quarter.

Gifts were due to be exchanged, in true southern Spanish tradition.

Magda said: "A lot of people have worked so hard to make this visit and exchange of cultural ideas possible. We are extremely grateful to them all and hope that everyone involved is enriched by the experience."

The choir are staying until Monday. Tomorrow, children's workshops will be held at the City Art Gallery where they can make Flamenco skirts to accompany the choir's performances.

* See our What's On guide for a daily listing of food festival events.