HUNDREDS packed into the Burtonwood Community Centre for the village’s first food and drink festival last month.

It took countless hours of planning over several months but organiser Andy Carr said he would do it all again in a heartbeat – once he’s had some time to rest his feet and relax.

He said: “The weekend went better than we could have hoped for.

“There was an amazing turn out, great stalls, brilliant entertainment and much-needed income for the centre.

“But most of all it was a fantastic community event for the village.

“What with the two pubs closing down in the recent past we at the centre are trying to relaunch community events to bring people together.”

It is estimated that around 500 people visited the festival over the two-day period.

From cask beer and cheese to pies and preserves, a range of products were on sale.

Food retailers included Upper Crust Sandwich and Coffee bar from Llandudno, Shirley's Pies from Poulton-le-Fylde, Hoffle Waffle from Liverpool and Richards Preserves from Greater Manchester.

Residents were also selling their homemade produce including cakes and honey.

The event also went without a hitch which Andy put down to the support of around 20 volunteers.

He said: “A massive thanks must go to them.

“They helped to put the weekend together, in particular, Alan Abbott, John Jones, Colin Regan and Ann McGuire.”

While no plans have been set in stone, Andy is hopeful that the food festival will return next year – only bigger and better.

He added: “It has been a lot of work but everyone who came enjoyed it.

“I hope to bring back the food and drink festival next year but now I am focusing on the beer festival in October.

“There has been talk of a Christmas market.

“But as I’ve only just packed away from this festival I’ve not even had the chance to think about Christmas.”