RAMSBOTTOM’S first pie festival had punters licking their lips yesterday.

The event, the brainchild of Bridge Street trader Gregg Fletcher, saw hundreds of hungry revellers visit the gardens of St Paul’s Church. With the town already on the map for its World Black Pudding Throwing Championships and annual chocolate festival, Ramsbottom PieFest could also secure a spot on the calendar after the success of the inaugural event.

Ruth Shedwick who co-organised the event, said: “We’ve done it on a shoestring and it was absolutely packed out. Some of the traders sold out hours in advance because of demand.

“The buzz was on a par with the first chocolate festival we did and it’s gone from strength to strength. Ramsbottom is a great community. There are so many families out and about enjoying picnics and I couldn’t have hoped for better weather and better people. Hopefully, it will be back bigger and better next year.”