NELSON'S Food Festival promises to be bigger than ever in its fourth year -- with a record number of food stalls, cooking demonstrations and competitions throughout the day.

North West weatherman and cook, Fred Talbot, will launch the festival on Saturday in the Place de Creil, opposite Woolworths.

He will demonstrate some new recipes he has invented with a Lancashire flavour.

Festival Organiser Isobel Davies, from Pendle Council's regeneration team, said: "This year's festival will be better than ever with many unusual attractions including medieval cooking, vegetable sculpting and food face painting for the children."

Two marquees will hold around 22 stalls, including ostrich meat, herbal punch and traditional dishes from Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan made by Pendle's refugees and asylum seekers.

There will be competitions to enter with prizes including a meal for two at the Spice of India Restaurant, Nelson, a £50 food hamper, sun tents from Morrisons and growing kits from B&Q.

Councillor Colin Waite said: "The Food Festival is fantastic for Nelson town centre and plays a big part in boosting Pendle food businesses. It's a free event, with free parking. All you have to do is bring an appetite."

The event is organised by Nelson Town Centre Forum and Pendle Council and sponsored by Farmhouse Biscuits. It is supported by the Northwest Development Agency, Pendle Partnership and Pendle Council.