CLITHEROE’S fifth annual food festival literally had them dancing in the streets and singing from the rooftops.

That might just have been dancers from new musical Stop The Train, which took place at The Grand on Saturday night, drumming up some last-minute trade.

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And admittedly the Red Rose Chorus and their barbers shop harmonies remained firmly rooted on Castle Street.

But with a blazing sun on their backs, thousands thronged the heart of the market town to savour delicacies from across the globe.

The 2015 festival, which featured Victor Yu’s Oriental insights, canapes from Michael Heathcote and Gisburn’s Maurizio Bocci sharing La Locanda’s Latin secrets, got the vote of those who have even seen it all before.

Cliff Cowburn, master butcher, of Castle Street-based Cowman’s, who had a street stall just opposite his well-known sausage emporium, said: “They have really raised their game, especially with the Lancashire Show coming back this weekend as well.

“Each time around they add something a little bit different and the organisers just seem to know what people want. There’s a lot more going around the town centre as well.”

Supporters of the Friends of Chernobyl children’s charity took over the lower hall at St Mary’s to offer tempting puddings, and Thwaites Brewery and the Seafood Pub Company had a beer tent and oyster bar back-to-back.

Once again one of the Blackburn brewery’s shire horses was a popular attraction, with four-year-old Star posing for pictures in Market Place.

Gee Montague, 67, of Wilpshire, said: “I’ve never seen it as busy as this. But it’s really good for the traders and puts Clitheroe on the map.”

Deli Solution’s Red Hot Chilli Challenge saw brave souls wolf down as many chilli-stuffed olives as they could, to raise money for Camp Project Wales, a youth holiday initiative.

The record stood at an eyewatering 32, with a £75 hamper prize up for grabs.

The likes of Megabites and Stansfield’s deli did roaring trades of their own, against the backdrop of the festival, with a combination of home-made fare and salesmanship.

If all of the paella, curries, wood-fired pizzas and nachos failed to set the tastebuds ablaze, there was always the Castle Chippy to fall back on, with Lancashire favourites like black peas and rag pudding. And cheese and jalapeno balls and Cajun chips.