BOLTON’s Food and Drink Festival has been billed as a “must see” event for Greater Manchester.

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, praised the summer festival which this year features baking ‘royalty’ Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, as one of the region’s biggest attractions.

At the launch of the event at Manchester’s flagship store Harvey Nichols, leading figures from tourism backed the festival while restaurateurs and hoteliers gathered to find out how they could be part of this spectacular event featuring the country’s finest chefs.

The festival is in its seventh year and the line-up includes festival favourite James Martin and Michael Caines, together with French chef and TV heartthrob Jean Christophe Novelli.

Mr Simpson said: “It is a must see event in Greater Manchester, it has grown in stature over the years.”

He added: “Greater Manchester is the third visited place in the country, after London and Edinburgh and we need to be looking at providing authentic experiences. Bolton Food and Drink Festival has a national and international appeal and provides an authentic experience.”

Michael Currie, hospitality manager at Harvey Nichols, said: “Bolton is just 18 minutes away by train, and although the brand is very well known, we still need to develop, and want customers to know about our food.”

Sponsor Bluemantle which is involved in the development of Church Wharf in Bolton, and the Horwich Loco Works, was also at the launch. Simon Isherwood, development director, said: “It is good for the town centre and also raises the company’s profile.”

Keith Davies, Bolton Council director of development and regeneration, said: “The festival has fantastic potential, not just for Bolton but for Greater Manchester.” He said there will also be a Bolton launch for the Festival. To sponsor, support or have a stall at the festival, from Friday, August 24 to Monday, August 27 email bolton2012@ bolton.gov.uk