FIND out which pint goes best with your pasty at this year's Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

Experts will be matching pints to pasties in one of three speciality events announced including television chef Simon Rimmer who will be swapping Sunday Brunch for Saturday brunch.

Annabelle Smith will be sourcing the best pint for different pasties and visitors can enjoy wine with Strictly Come Dancing star Ainsley Harriott.

Fans of Simon can join him for a special brunch at 10.30am on Saturday, August 26. They can tuck into their own brunch while watching the co-presenter of Channel 4 Sunday Brunch cook up a dish.

Then, beer lovers and fans of the humble pasty will be able to join Simon and beer sommelier Annabelle at 2.30pm on the same day as they advise which pasties best match which pints.

And Bolton-based Carrs Pasties will provide six different types of pasty to taste.

Wine afficionados and budding sommeliers can join in wine tasting with celebrity chef Ainsley and top wine critic Simon Woods on Sunday, August 27 at 6pm.

Guests will have a chance to try award-winning wines and nibbles, supplied by headline sponsor Aldi, as Simon and Ainsley provide top tips about matching food and wine.

The festival, which takes place between August 25 and 28, is organised by Bolton Council in association with Aldi.

Other special events over the weekend include a Slattery afternoon tea on Sunday, August 27 at 2pm where Ainsley will be joined by chef John Whaite, expert baker Rose Dummer, and Apprentice 2016 winner Alana Spencer, to chat about baking, whilst the audience enjoy afternoon tea along with a glass of fizz.

Aiden Byrne will also be bringing ‘Made in Bolton’ — a pop-up of his restaurant ‘Manchester House’ for one night only to Victoria Square, on Saturday, August 26, from 6.30pm.

The festival will open on Friday with two Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, and over the Bank Holiday weekend the event will also feature cookery demonstrations from the chefs including festival favourite James Martin.

Last year, more than 263,000 people attended and the festival won a coveted national award for having the best food market in the country.

Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: "Last year we found that visitors really enjoyed our special one-off events.

"This year we have got even more one-off events on the menu for visitors to the festival to enjoy.

"So whether you are passionate about pasties, or a wine buff, we think we have got something for everyone and we’d urge you to buy your tickets as soon as possible.

"We do not want people to be disappointed as there are limited numbers for all of the fantastic events."

Tickets are available from Bolton Octagon Theatre, via www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com or by calling 01204 520661. The box office is open 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.