PROMOTERS of a growing East Lancashire food festival appear to have got the right recipe for success.

‘Beer Chef’ Richard Fox returned to Accrington for the town’s fine dining fiesta and was joined by Pendle food waste campaigner Gill Watson and chefs from The Balti House in Rishton for the 2017 outing.

Retro fever gripped the town hall, as Crafty Vintage staged a lindy-hop revival in the ballroom.

Cuisine from all corners of the globe tempted sun-kissed visitors on Broadway and Little Blackburn Road, after the festival was opened by Mayor of Hyndburn Cllr Peter Britcliffe.

Children’s cake decorating, with Accrington and Rossendale College, took over the market hall, and for those whose sweet tooth wasn’t satisfied, The Cheeky Marshmallow Company offered gin and tonic and pina colada sweets.

Festival spokesman Nick Turner said: “We had an amazing day and we hope everyone who attended did too.”

Mother-of-two Hayley Draper, 44, who went to the festival while visiting family in Accrington, said: “It wasn’t what I was expecting but it seems like it brings the whole town out.”

An unofficial 'Oops upside your head' record attempt, in memory of the late Warner Street trader Evonne Harwood did her proud.

And there were several showcases for community groups and causes, which keep the town ticking over, from Accrington Heritage Trust’s efforts to restore the 1974 ‘Accy Pals’ bus to a war reenactment and Accrington Christians Together’s outdoor entertainment in the grounds of St James’ Church. Free herbs were also on offer from Hyndburn’s Up and Active programme.