THE glamour of the Le Mans 24-hour rally will come to Bolton in the shape of the town’s first Motorsport Festival next weekend.

The festival, staged to celebrate Bolton’s twin town’s prestigious race, has been organised by motorsport enthusiast and actor Jack Marsden.

Taking place over Saturday and Sunday, the town-wide event will feature a host of motor sport displays and a wide range of family attractions.

Announced by the former mayor of Bolton, Cllr Norman Critchley, as one of his final mayoral duties, the festival is sponsored by Audi Bolton and Perry’s Peugeot Bolton, who also represent the two top race teams competing at Le Mans.

Organiser Mr Marsden, who has starred in TV’s Heartbeat and Cops among other series, said: “Victoria Square will see fantastic car presentations, including the new Audi Spyder and the Peugeot RCZ Coupe as well as Bolton’s own Le Mans Series race team RLR Msport, displaying their Le Mans team car. There will also be a display of race and rally teams, as well as a fine food and ale fair.”

Le Mans Crescent will stage the Classic Cars of Le Mans, detailing the history of the Le Mans race over 70 years and displaying Audis, Jaguars and Ferraris.

The Town Hall square show area will be hosted by 96.5 Bolton FM who will be broadcasting live throughout the weekend.

The Market Place will become a Formula One-style paddock, featuring the only F1 race car simulator in the UK, sponsored by Gordon’s Honda of Bolton, on which visitors can race the classic Silverstone circuit, with proceeds going to Bolton Hospice.

Elsewhere, a “Buskers Trail” will provide live music between Victoria Square and Churchgate, where a festival will showcase fine arts and crafts. Also, St Peter’s Church will be turned into an art and photographic gallery displaying local artists’ photographs and paintings as well as playing host to the Rolls Royce Owners club.

And, with support from Xbox, the festival is to stage the world’s first virtual Le Mans 24-hour race, in which gaming teams will compete for the Baron's Motorsport Trophy.

Further details can be found at www.boltonlemans motorsport.com.