UPWARDS of 9,000 people packed into Nelson town centre for the town’s most successful food and drink festival ever.

With the sunshine attracting a bumper crowd, organiser’s declared the event an overwhelming success and praised the people of Nelson for supporting it and helping to create a buzz in the town.

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There was cuisine from all corners of the globe across 30 stalls at the family-friendly event, as well as cooking demonstrations from celebrity chef Richard Fox With stilt walkers, Bhangra dancing from Punjabi Roots academy, free face painting and henna art there was a real carnival atmosphere at the event which was opened by Pendle Mayor Cllr Rosemary Carroll and Mayoress Carol Belshaw-Goulthorp.

Event director Zahida Shamim said: “The buzz in town has been amazing. There has been something for everybody. Food from Asia, Italy, Greece and cupcake decorating competition for children in Pendle Rise.

“It has been really good and very busy. The best thing about it is that it has brought all the community together. I didn’t realise there were so many people in Nelson.“I’d like to thank all the store holders, everyone who has come down and all our sponsors who have donated prizes, including Whittaker’s, Pendle Rise, Oddie’s.”

Live cookery demonstrations were also provided by Whitakers Arms chef Grant Smallridge, while Pendle food waste activist Gill Watson was also on stage. There was also a children’s fun fair.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “I think the second annual Nelson food and drink festival is even bigger and greater than the first.

“It was great to see so many people turning out on such a sunny day to support the various stall holders.”

Stallholder Tom Wilkinson, 34, from the Good Life Project, Nelson, said: “This was the first time we have done the Nelson food and drink festival and it was fantastic.

“The weather has been great and we sold all of our stock. We will definitely be back again.”