FOODIES can get their teeth into the 10th annual Bolton food and drink festival this summer – promised to be bigger and better than ever before.

Actress and celebrity chef Lisa Faulkner, star of Spooks and winner of Celebrity MasterChef 2010, has been announced as the star appearance for this year’s special birthday event.

She will be joined by her partner, straight-talking Australian Masterchef judge John Torode, who will return to the four-day extravaganza for the second time.

Also appearing at the festival, which sees cookery demonstrations, free entertainment and speciality food stalls take over the town centre, are renowned chefs James Martin and Michael Caines and CBeebies star Katy Ashworth.

The event will take place between Friday, August 28 and Monday, August 31 and will be bigger than ever with marquees erected in Le Mans Crescent as well as inVictoria Square.

Faulkner will host an afternoon tea on August 29, with cakes provided by Whitefield patissier & chocolatier Slattery’s.

She said: “I am really excited about being a part of the festival.

“I am looking forward to meeting lots of lovely people at the afternoon tea and cooking up a few recipes from my latest book.”

The Bolton food and drink festival is one of Bolton Council’s headline annual events and last year it attracted more than 150,000 people.

On August 30 Torode will entertain crowds with cooking demonstrations after a street party in the town centre.

He said: “I had a ball last time and how brilliant to be invited back to join in the birthday celebrations.

“There is nothing I like more than a good birthday party, and a visit to my favourite Thai!”

Yorkshire chef Martin will notch up his seventh appearance on the final day of the festival, which is now one of the largest in the UK.

Caines will headline the opening day, while Ashworth will perform live shows daily and host a birthday cake decorating event on August 31.

Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: “The festival is eagerly awaited every year and once again we’ve organised a fantastic event to celebrate its 10th birthday. We are going all out to make this a birthday party to remember, and everyone’s invited.

“Last year’s festival was our biggest yet with more than 150,000 visitors and we’re hoping for even more this year, particularly with the new events we have planned.”

Sponsors this year include Aldi, Greenhalgh’s, Market Place Shopping Centre and Stateside Foods and partners include Bolton Market, Impression Ltd, Kro Bar, Marriott, Octagon Theatre, and Slattery’s.

Tickets for the demonstrations, shows and events go on sale on May 23. For more information: go boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com and follow Bolton Food and Drink Festival on Facebook or @boltonfoodfest on Twitter.