IF there’s one thing that even Bolton’s moaners agree on it’s that the annual Food and Drink Festival is a brilliant success.

Now, the woman behind this and other events like the Christmas Lights’ switch-on, the Millennium celebrations and even enabling Bolton to host Ironman UK is finally hanging up her clipboard and retiring.

Norma Rutherford has been the cheerful face and relentless spirit driving these popular events forward. She says she has “thoroughly enjoyed” her years with Bolton Council and I’m sure that’s true.

She has certainly earned a rest but the town – and its events – will miss her.