FOOD from around the globe was available to try at this year’s Nelson Food and Drink Festival.

Around 50 stalls sold a variety of cakes, Spanish tapas, pizzas, curries, German sausages, cheeses and churros, with hundreds of people turning out to the town centre event despite the heavy rain.

There were several displays put on to keep people entertained, including a live cooking show to tickle people’s taste buds from chef Richard Fox.

There was performances from the Chorley-based SambAfriq band and live Bhangra music and dancing.

Iftikhar Ahmed, Brierfield, who went to the festival with is family, said the event was really enjoyable.

He said: “I love it, we come every year and we always love trying the new foods.

“It’s great for people to go to and make friends and spend time with each other.”

Mr Ahmed’s daughter Anjaleen, eight, said her favourite food was the cupcakes.

A vintage bus was offering free rides for visitors to attend the festival and there were photo opportunities with street entertainers.

Other foods on offer were burgers, traditional Lancashire food, Asian sweets, French crepes and fudge.

Laura Jones, who attended the festival with her partner Michael Rushton and six-year-old daughter Lucy Jones, said: “This is the first time we’ve been to the food festival and my first impressions are really good. It’s really beneficial for the town to have a big event on like this."

Pat Foster, from Nelson said: “I’ve been to the festivals before and never been disappointed.

“The rain has been awful but it hasn’t stopped people coming out which is very good.”

Zahida Shamim, the festival’s organiser, said she was really pleased with the two-day event.

She said: “We have a multi-cultural community in Nelson which we are very proud of and because of that we should celebrate it.

“The food festival brings all different cultures and backgrounds together and it opens up new experiences for people."