Beekeepers yesterday flaunted their local produce during a honey festival organised to promote the healthy, golden nectar.

A chef set up a stand at the Independence Gardens, in Sliema and promoted recipes that included honey among the ingredients. Stalls showcased local fresh products, from honey jars to the traditional honey rings, which enticed visitors into tasting the sweet treats.

As people walked around the gardens, to the background sound of traditional folk songs, information leaflets about the health benefits of honey were distributed.

Children enjoyed the pony rides through the Sliema garden and, of course, they marvelled at the bees: the protagonists of the evening.

For centuries, honey, which has been described as the man's oldest sweetener, has been used to treat medical conditions, embellish dishes and also made its way into the skincare regime, to mention a few of its many uses.

The Honey Fest was organised by the Rural Affairs Ministry as part of the Naturalment Malti (Naturally Maltese) campaign that aims to promote local produce.

Every month a typical Maltese product is picked and showcased during a festival. Last month, it was the Tuna Fest in Marsaxlokk and next it will be the Tomato Fest in San Lawrenz.