The inaugural Food & Drink World exhibition from

William Reed, comprising Food & Drink Expo, Foodex Meatex, the Convenience Retailing Show and the International Fuel & Forecourt Equipment show, attracted more than 70,000 visitors making it the UK's largest food manufacturing show.

ABC-audited visitor figures for the March event show that Food & Drink Expo attracted 25,789 visitors, CRS 17,204, IFFE 11,192 and

Foodex Meatex 16,591.

Next year, CRS and IFFE will run on 6-8 March, with Food & Drink Expo and Foodex Meatex on 6-9 April 2008.

A record number of exhibitors have rebooked their stands for the four shows.