TOWN hall chiefs hailed the Bolton Food and Drink Festival as visitor numbers smashed the 200,000 barrier for the first time.

Figures compiled over the bonanza Bank Holiday weekend reveal that 201,911 people flocked to Bolton's showpiece event.

The number is up nearly 50,000 on last year, as the event marked its 10th birthday with its largest festival to date, with 180 stalls on offer.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said the event had gone from "small beginnings" to become the north of England's premier food festival.

Footfall has increased year on year for the annual festival, and visitors came from all corners of the globe.

A council spokesman said bosses were already thinking ahead to next year and ways to make the festival even better.

Transport for Greater Manchester reported 201,911 visitors over the four days, up from 153,277 the previous year.

Cllr Morris said: “It’s been another fantastic weekend and from such small beginnings it has grown massively to become the premier food festival in the north.

“The weather held out which does help with visitors but even on Monday with the rain in the morning the crowds were still out.

"To hear that people living abroad are timing their holiday to come to the festival just shows what a fabulous event it is.

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from festival visitors, traders, chefs and our sponsors and partners. The support of a sponsor like Aldi has definitely contributed to increased visitors. I’d like to thank everyone for making this the biggest and best festival yet.”

Festival-goers had the chance to watch top TV chefs Lisa Faulkner, John Torode and James Martin perform cookery demonstrations in Victoria Square, as well as live shows from CBeebies star Katy Ashworth.

A pop-up theatre from the Octagon was also on offer, along with free live music and various street artists.

Among visitors was Evan Blount, aged 42, from Sydney.

He said: “It was worth travelling all the way from Sydney just for Franca’s amazing pizza. I’ve already bought all of the ingredients to make John Torode’s Korean fried chicken.”

Diane Briggs, from Cyprus, said: “We were in Bolton last year, stumbled across it and absolutely loved it. We love cooking and made sure we came back when it’s on.”

Kirsty Carr and Justine Smith, from Newcastle, came to see all of the celebrity chef demonstrations.

Miss Carr said: “We come over every year for the festival, because it’s great and we love seeing all the different chefs. It’s the best festival we’ve ever been to."

Valerie Hey from the south of France times her visit to the UK with the festival.

She said: “It’s my third time at the festival and I love it. I make sure I come back for it every year. The atmosphere is wonderful and Bolton really comes to life. I’ve really enjoyed the demos, and the afternoon tea with Lisa was lovely. I’ll come back again without a doubt.”

The festival was sponsored by Aldi, which is opening a distribution centre in the town later this year and recruited at the event.

Did you attend the food and drink festival? Send your photographs to pictures@theboltonnews.co.uk for an 8-page picture special