CUISINE lovers are enjoying the biggest and best Bolton Food and Drink Festival yet as it returned to the town for the 12th time.

Thousands of people poured into the town centre to sample the huge range of stalls on offer, from Hungarian street food to kettle-cooked popcorn.

The festival, which stretches around Victoria Square and Le Mans Crescent boasts more than 200 food, drink and craft traders to tempt palates of all persuasions.

And its reputation as one of the top food festivals in the country has been bolstered by the celebrity chefs appearing over the weekend.

James Martin, of Saturday Kitchen fame Ainsley Harriott and Simon Rimmer are among those entertaining the crowds with their cookery demonstrations at the event, which runs over the bank holiday weekend.

As well as well known faces will be the some of the best chefs from Bolton and the North West, such as Robert Owen Brown, Nick Cullen and Polly Guy.

But it’s not just treats for the taste buds the festival has to offer. The Real Ale and Cider Bar on Victoria Square is also hosting a music stage.

The event was launched with a Mad Hatters’ Tea Party at ‘Alice’s Wonderland Marquee’ near the town hall.

The marquee, which will be the main children’s attraction during the festival, recreated the feel of Lewis Carroll’s classic, with the centrepiece a huge cake featuring the caterpillar from the story.

The launch was compered by Rosie ‘Cake Diva’ Dummer and those present at the event were treated to special performances from West End actor Philip Starnier, dressed as The White Rabbit and singer Lauren Samuels.

There were also speeches from Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris and the chief executive Margaret Asquith before the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Roger Hayes declared the festival officially open.

Virgil Simpson of the festival’s headline sponsor, Aldi, also spoke at the launch.

Festival ambassador and Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines returned for the seventh year and told The Bolton News that he was as ‘excited’ as ever about the event.

He said: “It's great that Bolton Council and the sponsors can put this event on and the energy and ideas they put in.

“They are always forward thinking, it's exciting you can attract people like James Martin, Simon Rimmer and Ainsley Harriott as well as local chefs.”

And he added that the festival was hugely important in bringing the community together and boosting the profile of the town.

He said: “Despite the economy improving there are still a few challenges there. Not everyone feels like they are being included but this event brings people into the town centre, people feel like they can come and be a part of it.

“And I think within it is definitely a day out for the family which is a big part of its success and appeal.

“The line-up of chefs we have and the reputation of the festival over the years is testament to the achievement of the festival.

“In terms of numbers, they have built on that every year and it wouldn’t surprise me if they repeat that this year.

“It’s got a great reputation nationally as a great festival and internationally as well. It’s a bank holiday weekend and people are looking for somewhere to go and this festival attracts a lot of people to it.”

And Mr Caines spoke about the passion for Bolton Market he shares with his good friend James Martin, who appears at the festival on Monday.

He said: “We talked about Bolton, I said to him ‘what is it about Bolton, we’ve both done it for a long, long time.

“He said it’s just one of those festival that’s just lovely and easy, he’s a very busy person who comes religiously every years said what makes it special is the people and the organisation.

“We can be up here by ourselves and enjoy the event that’s the message we get and a lot of people say the event has added value to their lives and, all in all, it’s a great event to be involved with and that’s great credit to the organisers.”

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said it was an event ‘for the whole family’.

He added: “That’s what Bolton is all about. It’s a little bit bigger and hoping a lot better than in years gone by, we will have a great time.”