PETROLHEADS descended on Victoria Square to see super cars on show for the fifth annual Bolton Le Mans Motorsport Festival.

Crowds enjoyed the multi-million pound car display — including a £350,000 Mercedes SL — as well as live music and dancing.

The festival celebrates Bolton’s link with twin town Le Mans in France, which hosted the world famous 24-hour race at the weekend.

Event director and former Heartbeat actor Jack Marsden said it was “amazing” to see so many people turn out for the festival, which was opened by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Martin Donaghy.

Mr Marsden said: “I’ve never seen so many people in Bolton town centre. The crowds on the Saturday were huge.

“People were there from very early on and it ran like clockwork. It was super to have that level of support.

“What I wanted to do was celebrate the twin towns of Bolton and Le Mans, which hosts the world’s most glamorous motor sport event — it’s appropriate we do something to celebrate that association.

“To watch the families, who have come in on a limited budget, have their faces painted, get free balloons and generally have a nice family day out was really great.”

On Saturday, former X Factor finalist and S Club Juniors member Stacy McClean sang from the Town Hall steps, alongside the live bands.

Mr Marsden said he is already looking forward to next year’s event.

He added: “Next year I am trying to arrange a big screen to show the race live.

“With the Mayor of Le Mans visiting Bolton in August, we want to strengthen that relation-ship between the two towns on the motorsport side.”