Free classic bus rides to Nelson Food Festival

Organisers of the estival have teamed up with Darwen Transport Museum Trust - a charity dedicated to preserving the history of East Lancashire’s buses and trams. It will run the restored 1968 Leyland Titan double-decker to transport families from pick-up points across Pendle and Burnley to the festival in the heart of Nelson.

The classic bus service is free, but as demand is expected to be high places must be booked in advance through the festival website.

The bus will run on two set routes from 10am to 2pm on the day of the festival. The first route starts from Barnoldswick, with pick-up points at Kelbrook, Foulridge, Colne and Barrowford before arriving at the festival. The second route starts from Burnley Bus Station, picking up in Colne Road, Brierfield (opposite the Town Hall) en route to the festival.

There will be three journeys on each route, the Barnoldswick buses leaving at 10am, 11-30am and 1pm, and the Burnley buses setting out at 10-45am, 12-15pm and 1-45pm. For details of routes, pick-up points and departure times, and to book your free seats using an online form, visit: www.nelsonfoodfestival.co.uk/free-buses/

Nelson Food and Drink Festival is the culmination of a four-month campaign to promote and showcase the town’s wide range of shops and businesses. Running from 10am to 4pm, it will see a Worldwide Food Market set up in the town centre, offering everything from traditional Lancashire favourites to exotic delicacies and giving local producers and retailers a chance to showcase their fare.

A series of live cookery demonstrations will take place throughout the day, including three featuring celebrity chef Richard Fox, author of ‘The Food and Beer Cookbook’ and co-star of the ITV series ‘Men Brewing Badly’ with actor and beer enthusiast Neil Morrissey. As well as cooking his own specially created dishes, Richard will compere demonstrations by the festival’s main sponsor, Nelson and Colne College, and local restaurant Spice of India.

Another highlight will be a talk on combating waste by larger-than-life local chef, food activist and writer Gill Watson. Other attractions will include a children’s cake decorating competition, free face painting and henna art, and a exciting dance display by the Punjabi Roots Academy.

For more about the festival, and to book your free places on the classic double-decker visit: www.nelsonfoodfestival.co.uk