FOOD lovers are getting ready for a mouth-watering April Fools Day in Accrington at the ninth annual Lancashire Food Festival.

Organisers are promising that this year's event will be bigger and better than before with an exciting selection of culinary events and quality food on offer.

The focus of the event, which is organised by Hyndburn Leisure Services with support from Made in Lancashire and Oswaldtwistle Mills, will be the food hall in Accrington Town Hall and the Festival Marquee, which, unique for 2006, will feature products from Lancashire.

For those in need of break after a exploring the stalls of food and drink in the hall and marquee, there will be the Festival tearoom.

Chef Philippa James will be cooking up a storm in the cookery theatre, including a demonstration of speedy "kid friendly" recipes to keep hungry children happy, For anyone who loves wine there will be tutored wine-tasting sessions on each day.

In addition to the array of food and drink from all over the world, there will also be music and dancing in the town centre.

A free Festival shuttle bus is available between the festival venues.

The event takes place on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, from 10am to 3.30pm.