Bolton Council has been hailed as “market leaders” when it comes to . . . running a market.

The team behind Bolton Market has been named as the best in the UK, thanks to its market kitchen which promotes healthy eating and their work to boost visitor numbers.

It was handed the award for Market Team of the Year by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).

The results were announced at NABMA’s annual conference in Harrogate.

NABMA chief executive Graham Wilson said: “The team in Bolton has undertaken a number of initiatives around health lifestyle, coach visits have increased and the Bolton team is also part of the team that organises the highly successful Bolton Food and Drink Festival.”

As well as working in Bolton Market, the team also operates in markets in Farnworth, Horwich and Westhoughton.

They work with NHS Bolton’s community nutritionist as well as celebrity chef Tom Bridge to use Bolton Market’s in-house cookery demonstration kitchen to encourage healthy eating.

The chefs cook in the kitchen with fresh market produce to encourage people to eat their five-aday portions of fruit and vegetables.

Bolton Market, which has won a string of awards, has a growing reputation as the premier food market in the North West and has been endorsed by celebrity chefs the Hairy Bikers.

Figures show increased footfall at the market, improved occupancy and a boost in tourism visits over recent years.

The number of coach bookings at Bolton Market increased from 122 in 2008 to almost 250 in 2010.

Westhoughton Market is also undergoing a major revival and developing a niche for quirky stalls, such as vintage clothes traders.

Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: “One of our aims is to try and encourage our residents to live healthier lifestyles and eat healthier.“ The team plays a big part in this with the work it does.

“It also plays an important role in events like the Food and Drink Festival, which brings thousands of visitors into the town."