THE University of Bolton has created a mouth-watering menu of educational treats for crowds at this year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

Representatives have teamed up with the University Technical College (UTC) to give festival goers a taste of some of the courses on offer.

In the Education Zone, on Le Mans Crescent, the University’s Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering is serving up a competition where five lucky visitors can win an incredible track experience in a Ginetta G55 race car.

Racing stars Anna Walewska and Kelvin Fletcher will be there to meet visitors on Monday to tell them about the university’s motorsport courses.

Kelvin Fletcher, who until earlier this month played Andy Sugden in the long-running television soap opera Emmerdale, competes in the British Touring Car Championship with Power Maxed Racing. Anna Walewska is the British Women Racing Drivers Club Elite Goldstars Award winner and races in the British GT Championship. The university’s racing cars will be on show in Victoria Square and Le Mans Crescent.

The Bolton School of the Arts will run a children’s competition to design their own plate.

Students’ paintings, photographs and textile designs will be on sale. The Sport and Biomedical Sciences department will be talking about anatomy and movement on their stand, including demonstrations relating to health and fitness.

Prof George Holmes, University of Bolton Vice Chancellor, said: “A key part of the University’s strategic vision is to build on its already major contribution to the economic development of the town and to play an active role in the Bolton community.

“Events such as the Food and Drink festival offer the University a perfect opportunity to celebrate what makes us, as a town, so special.

“We are proud to be a premier sponsor of what is sure to be a triumphant weekend of food, fun and family entertainment.”

This year, Michelin-starred Michael Caines will officially launch the festival on Friday, in the newly unveiled Vaults in the Market Place Shopping Centre.

Cllr Cliff Morris, Leader of Bolton Council, said: “We are delighted that the university are a premier sponsor this year.

“It will be a fantastic opportunity for them and the UTC to showcase the innovative courses they have on offer.

“The fun they have in store will appeal to all ages which is perfect, as the festival is aimed at entertaining the whole family.”