HEAVY rain and strong winds could not deter people from heading down to the Barnoldswick Food Festival.

Hundreds of hungry tummies were filled with delicious treats ranging from pies, sausages, luxury cheeses, gins and beers.

The majority of the events took place at the marquee in the town square after quick-thinking organisers moved the stalls undercover at the last minute due to the poor weather.

There was food themed ‘hands-on’ family activities, a food trail and a mobile farm, all organised by Barnoldswick Town Council.

There was cooking demonstrations, live music, craft stalls and face painting for the whole family to take part in.

Barbara and her husband Mike Pratt, from Colne, said they love going to festivals and trying new foods.

Barbara said: "I love cheese so I always head straight for those stalls.

"I like the fact you can go to a food festival and see a flavour you have never heard before and try it, like it, and take it home with you.

"I thought the event was brilliant and would come again."

Mike added: "The problem is my eyes are bigger than my belly and I want to eat all the food."

Children got the chance to make some cakes at the Rainhall Centre while adults sipped exquisite gins at the J.P.Adlam Gin Bar.

Andrew Aspinall, manager of H Weatherheads and Sons Butchers, from Harrogate, set up a pie stall at the festival.

His selection of delicious pies were voted the best during the festival's pie-tasting competition.

Mr Aspinall said: "It was very well organised considering the conditions, we were very happy with how sales went in the marquee and the rapport was very good with fellow traders and were certainly going to attend again.

"We also came away as world pie champions which was the main reason we attended so all in all extremely pleased."

One of the festival's organisers said: "We'd like to thank the judges who came out in Saturday's atrocious weather.

"Andy Ingram, Mike Ward, Ross Lee, Heather Sheldrick and Elaine Rose, you all did an amazing job and helped make the competition a success."

Barnoldswick Town Council chairman, Cllr Jayne Mills said: "The festival is a celebration of the scores of food and drink businesses we have in Barnoldswick and also highlights the market, which the town council now operates.

"We had over two dozen food stalls at the event and three dozen food and drink businesses taking part in the food trail."