Foodies in a Lancashire town got to taste cuisine from around the world yesterday at an annual festival.
Saturday's (June 1) Accrington Food & Drink Festival saw punters flock to Hyndburn to try all kinds of grub, while also picking up tips during live cooking masterclasses, presented each by Michelin-starred Glynn Purnell, Netflix star Molly Robbins, and local chef Paul Fox.
Ms Robbins - from the show Extreme Cake Makers - also revealed the winners of Hyndburn Borough Council's 50th anniversary cake competition.
Tied in with marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the event featured a memorial battle re-enactment along with a free Spitfire simulation experience.
The 1940s singing act, Christopher and the Robins, provided the day's soundtrack with three live performances.
The annual festival kick-started at 9.55am when Hyndburn Mayor, Cllr Mike Booth, officially opened proceedings.
“I didn’t realise there were this many people in Accrington,” Kev Harrington, who was at the event with his family, said.
More happy attendees were Steph Graham and her family, Ms Graham said: “It’s been a good day and it’s been busy, too busy if anything.”
The Aspinall and Poole family also praised the festival, Eden Aspinall said: “I haven’t seen Accrington this busy in a while, it’s even busier than last year.
“Our favourite dish of the day was the curry goat from Mama Shar’s.”
Chatting on the grounds of where Saturday’s World War Two re-enactment had taken place, the Marsh family were pleased with the day, with some of the family even getting involved in the battle.
Andrea Marsh said: “We come every year, it’s always a packed-out event and it’s really nice to see.”
Not all the families were customers however, Rick Heck and his sons Bryn, Gethin and Hugh, were selling Mrs Dowson’s ice cream – usually sold at their farm shop in Clitheroe.
Mr Heck said: “I’m waiting for three o’clock when everyone has had their mains and stuff, and they’ll come and have some ice cream.
“Saying that, I’ve been nicely surprised with how busy we’ve been, even this early.”
Joseph Lazante and Chris Tattersall, from Street Food Pizza, were opposite the Mrs Dowson’s stall.
The pair were serving up bacon and sausage flatbreads for breakfast in an English twist on the Italian classic.
Their van, equipped with two woodfired ovens, cooked what they say is 'delicious and authentic' pizza.
Providing pizza competition was Solo Pizza manned by NHS nurse Vince Ricciardi and his partner.
Mr Ricciardi said: “I’m always cooking in the house, food really is my passion.”
The Italian prides his pizza on being “quickly cooked at an extremely high heat, resulting in a floppy and soft crust.”
Away from the food, Ifly Spitfire Sim were treating those who fancied themselves as pilots to take to the cockpit and don VR goggles, to get a feel for and learn about the Battle of Britain.
Carl Hingley, who owns the business with his wife Lisa, said: “The simulator itself was originally used in films as a prop, including in the 2001 movie Pearl Harbour.
“It gives the people the sense of what it was like to fly a spitfire from the 1940s.”
Hyndburn Councillor for Business and Growth, Scott Brerton, said: “Hats off to Murray Dawson and the Amazing Accrington team, every year he does it and it’s always an amazing success, everyone enjoys it and long may it continue.”
Most recent Hyndburn MP, Sara Britcliffe, said: “If you look around you can see the footfall that this event brings into our town centre.
“Everybody is smiling, everybody is happy, we’ve got some fantastic local businesses, so it really boosts the local economy, and the atmosphere is great.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here