Loco over cocoa

Chocolate is said to be an aphrodisiac and some even say that it is better than sex.

If that is the case, then many visitors to the annual International Chocolate Festival in Obidos, Portugal, must have had the time of their lives.

Now in its 12th year, the event, which ended on Sunday, attracts more than 200,000 chocolate-lovers annually.

Besides sinking their teeth into the many delectable goodies, visitors to the picturesque historic town on the west coast also enjoyed concerts and participated in cooking classes.

One of the highlights of the festival Loco over TV was a fashion show where models paraded in haute couture pieces, made out of — you guessed it — chocolate.

Another highlight was seeing artists treat chocolate like it was modelling clay, transforming it into realistic animal figures.

The event venue was magically transformed into a mini zoo, filled with creatures like giraffes and apes.

Visitors oohed and aahed at the many creations, unable to believe their eyes that they were made of chocolate.

With Easter just round the corner, these sculptures would put the humble chocolate bunny to shame.