TICKETS for Bolton’s hugely popular Food and Drink Festival go on sale today.

More than 263,000 people descended on the town centre for last year's festival and demand for tickets, which go on sale at noon, is expected to be high once again.

The packed Bank Holiday weekend, August 25 to 28, will open with Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines and feature cookery demonstrations from Strictly Come Dancing star Ainsley Harriott, co-presenter of Channel 4 Sunday Brunch Simon Rimmer, and festival favourite James Martin.

Last year the festival, organised by Bolton Council in association with Aldi, won a coveted national award for having the best food market in the country.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “The food and drink festival is a highlight of our calendar and this year we have again pulled out all the stops to get the best chefs and make the whole weekend an amazing event for all the family.

"The festival is fast approaching and I would urge people to secure their tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

"Tickets are on sale from today and in past years they have been incredibly popular, so please act quickly. We do not want people to be disappointed and there are limited numbers for all of the fantastic attractions."

Tickets will be available from the Octagon Theatre, via boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com or by calling 01204 520661. The box office is open 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

Tickets for the celebrity chef cookery demos cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. Organisers have also added new special ticketed events this year.

The highlights will include Michelin-starred chef Aiden Byrne opening a ‘Made in Bolton’ pop-up restaurant on Saturday, August 26, in the main festival marquee.

The chef behind Manchester House and The Church Green in Lymm, as well as the forthcoming Cunard House in Liverpool, will deliver a three-course menu designed especially for the festival, with tickets priced at £60.

He will also be having a cook-off competition with award winning Rochdale chef Andrew Nutter, who runs Nutters restaurant in Norden.

Great British Bake Off winner and patisserie specialist John Whaite will also demonstrate his most popular recipes in the regional chefs marquee. Tickets for that event are £5.

Children are in for a zany treat with a ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ in the Alice’s Wonderland marquee, where actors from The Octagon Theatre will entertain younger visitors to the festival.

They will be able to play croquet with the Red Queen, share a snack with Alice and a cup of tea with the March Hare, experience a lively interactive Alice in Wonderland musical, and enjoy a specially prepared picnic.

The cost is £5 per child and all children must be accompanied by an adult, who pay £2.50 to enter.

On the Saturday, Simon Rimmer will showcase some of his favourite recipes and host a ‘Saturday Brunch’ event. Entry is £20 for adults and £10 for children.

A beer and special Carrs pasty-tasting is also on the menu for £15.

Wine critic Simon Woods will be hosting a wine tasting session with Ainsley Harriott at 6pm in the main festival marquee on Sunday, August 27. Tickets are £25 and headline sponsors Aldi will be supplying some of their wines for the event.

The Ready Steady Cook favourite will also be the special guest at a Slattery afternoon tea at 2pm on the Sunday, which includes a demo with Bake Off winner John Whaite. Tickets are £25, or £10 for children.

A selection of premium seats will also be available at each of James Martin’s demos on the Monday for £16. Guests will receive a special cocktail or mocktail and a festival glass.

For updates, visit boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com, follow Bolton Food and Drink Festival page on Facebook or @boltonfoodfest on Twitter.