THE North West's favourite weatherman and cook Fred Talbot launched the fourth annual Nelson Food Festival with some of his favourite Lancashire recipes.

The event, at the Place de Creil, Nelson on Saturday, was the biggest in the festival's four year history and boasted some unusual attractions.

On the menu were medieval cooking demonstrations, vegetable sculpting, a samosa competition, food face painting and the chance to win a meal for two at the Spice of India restaurant, Nelson.