PLANS are in the pipeline for a host of top chefs to appear at this year's Preston International City Festival.

One name to be thrown into the pot is local chef, Nigel Smith, who has cooked for the Queen and top celebrities.

The culinary wizard, who grew up in Preston, worked for two years at London's prestigious Savoy hotel and served lunch to the Her Majesty when she opened Liverpool's Albert Dock. He has cooked up a feast for composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and now owns The Feilden's Arms, at Mellor Brook.

He is expected to be cooking up a storm in Preston with other local culinary gurus from Preston's twin towns, Almelo, Nimes, Recklinghausen and Kalisz. They will rustle up delicious dishes on the Flag Market, as part of the Continental Market, June 11-13.

The market will cook up a treats while German sausage, French bread and cheese, wine, arts and crafts will be on offer for visitors who can also sample Lancashire produce on a number of stalls.

The festival will also include appearances from top pop stars such as Natasha Bedingfield, a hot air balloon spectacular, fireworks, multi-cultural art, dance and music events, family fun days and will end with a Proms in the Park extravaganza at Avenham Park.