Delicious handmade cupcakes, cookies, traybakes and desserts from local family-run business Tishy's Cakes will be among the many mouthwatering delights on offer at this summer's Accrington Food and Drink Festival.

After enjoying a busy day at last year's event, the popular business was one of the first to sign up for a stall at this year's festival on Saturday June 4th, and to benefit from a 20% early bird discount available to Hyndburn-based food businesses.

Last year's revived and revamped festival brought more than 10,000 people into a bustling town centre, with some stalls selling out on the day. Planning is already well under way to make this year's festival even bigger and better, showcasing the area's many fine food and drink producers and retailers.

Asmma Zafar, from Tishy's Cakes, said: "Last year's Accrington Food and Drink Festival was the first time we had done an event like this and we had a fantastic day.

"As well as selling lots of cakes we met loads of people and made some really good contacts. Since the festival our business has increased dramatically. We've taken lots of orders and bookings to supply special events as a direct result of being at the festival."

Asmma started selling handmade cakes to help cover the travelling costs to hospital when her daughter, Tishy, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, but the cakes were so popular it is now her full-time occupation. All of her cakes and desserts are handmade using the freshest ingredients and they are also halal, free from animal fats or alcohol-based colourings and flavourings.

"I would definitely encourage other local food businesses to get involved in the Accrington Food and Drink Festival," said Asmma. "It's been great for our business and we're really looking forward to it."

This year's festival will have more than 55 stalls for food and drink businesses to promote their wares, with pitches selling fast as last year's exhibitors rush to take part again. Hyndburn-based businesses signing up to a pitch before March 31st can benefit from a 20% early bird discount on their booking.

Other attractions at the festival will include live cookery demonstrations with celebrity chef Richard Fox and local restaurant chefs, a Continental Market on Broadway, street entertainers and free children's activities including a cake decorating competition.

A heritage theme will also see a Spitfire, the RAF's iconic Battle of Britain fighter aircraft, on display in the town centre and, back by popular demand, a live all-action re-enactment of a Second World War skirmish by the North West Military Collectors.

This year also marks the centenary of the First World War Battle of the Somme, which had a devastating effect on Accrington through the horrific losses suffered by its locally recruited battalion, The Accrington Pals. Uniformed Accrington Pals actors will be at the festival to help tell the story, alongside a free centenary exhibition in the Town Hall.

With so much to see, do and taste, this year's Accrington Food and Drink Festival promises to be an unmissable event. Anyone interested in holding a stall can find out more on the festival website (www.accringtonfoodfestival.co.uk) where there is a downloadable Expression of Interest form for stallholders. Alternatively, phone festival co-ordinator Sue Lawson on 01282 426846 or email: sue@scottdawson.co.uk Gold sponsors for this year's festival are local uniform supplier Simon Jersey and the North Lancs Training Group, but there are other opportunities for sponsors to get involved at various levels. For more information see the website or contact Sue Lawson using the details above.

For more about Tishy's Cakes and to order online, visit: www.tishyscakes.co.uk