LIFE was sweet for chocoholics who visited Ramsbottom this weekend.

The town’s eleventh annual Chocolate Festival saw hundreds of visitors flocking to the heart of the town on Saturday and Sunday to satiate their chocolate longings.

“What’s not to like?” said Natalie Atkinson who made a day of it with her daughter, Isabelle, 9.

The temptations were too hard to resist for Beth Clark, 26, who confessed: “I’ve spent all my money already.”

Mother and daughter Vilma McKoy and Chantelle Elliott were first time festival visitors and they travelled in from Manchester.

“We are really enjoying it because my daughter is into her chocolate,” said Mrs McKoy.

Along with the delicious food on offer, families enjoyed a fun fair.

The hot and sunny weather on Saturday meant the pop-up gin and Prosecco stall was a must for thirsty adults.

Successful though last year’s festival was, a number of visitors remarked on it being overcrowded with lengthy queues on Bridge Street.

But things went a lot more smoothly this year as some stalls were moved to the Saturday market car parks, where a large seating area was installed for guests to relax at.

Katerina Petrova is a regular festival goer, along with her five-year-old daughter, Daria.

“I’m always impressed with the variety of what’s on offer,” she said.

The impressive choice - everything from chocolate cheese to chocolate wine - was also the attraction for Sean Rorke, 53, of Edenfield.

“I always come to buy Easter presents for the whole family,” he said.

“It’s lovely in the sunshine and it’[s much less crowded and more comfortable than last year.”

Liverpudlian James Lloyd, 21, became a convert on his very first visit to the festival.

He was in town for his boyfriend’s birthday and said: “It’s cool. I’ve never been to Ramsbottom before but I’ll definitely be coming to next year’s festival.”

Aside from the delicious chocolate, a number of other attractions provided additional interest.

These included bird of prey displays and an RSPB stall.