TOURISM chiefs hope to attract thousands of people to Darwen later this year when the town hosts its first ever food festival.

Final details are currently being put together by Blackburn with Darwen Council, which hopes to help the town cash in on its local reputation for excellent eating establishments.

The event has been pencilled in for September 7 to 10, with exact details of the events taking place within it due to be confirmed later this month.

Provisional plans centre on a giant country market open to local producers from across East Lancashire.

Celebrity chefs have also been approached to attend to give demonstrations of meals which can be made using local food.

Local breweries are also being asked to take part, while walks around the area are being devised to encourage people to venture out to pubs and restaurants on the West Pennine Moors.

The event is the first major tourism project since an investigation was carried out by Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council into how more people could be attracted on to the West Pennine Moors.

One of its conclusions was that many people already travelled to the area to enjoy foodie' activities such as eating out in restaurants and pubs but many more did not know about the variety of venues on offer.

Part of the festival will be dedicated to Exotic Lancashire', celebrating the wide variety of cuisine on sale in Darwen.

Overall, the event will be called the Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food & Drink, using the name widely expected to replace East Lancashire later this year.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The first Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food & Drink will be a major new incentive to support our local tourism industry and Lancashire's food and drink sector. The aim is to develop partnership that will organise a wide range of activities and events to provide an outlet for businesses, raise awareness and encourage visitors and residents to come along to experience Lancashire's great hospitality.

"It has already gained huge support from local food and drink producers, growers and manufacturers.

"A full programme of events should be announced at the end of February, and anyone interested in either taking part or simply going to Blackburn Visitor Centre to reserve a free festival brochure."