Huge food and drink festival WILL start today after Storm Lilian 'battering'

A huge food and drink festival delayed by 'battering' Storm Lilian winds WILL get underway today after a massive town centre clean-up operation.

The annual four-day Bolton Food and Drink Festival, which is estimated to be attended by around 500,000 people, had been due to get officially underway on Friday morning, with more than 200 food traders, live entertainment and celebrity chefs.

But council bosses were forced to postpone the launch due to gusts of wind they said were 'stronger than forecast'. Gazebos, tents and over infrastructure were blown over and damaged.

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But in a new statement, the council said the festival would be starting this morning, Saturday, at 10am. Market traders, festival staff and the community have been praised for pulling together to clear debris and make repairs. Damage to the festival's main stage was clear to see.

In a new statement, Bolton Council said: "The opening was delayed after Storm Lilian battered the town centre with gusts significantly stronger than forecast. Gazebos, tents and other event infrastructure was left damaged or displaced, posing a significant risk to public safety.

"Despite the set-back, market traders, festival staff and the community all pulled together to clear the debris and get the site ready for the next day.

"Thanks to the hard work of all involved, the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the August bank holiday will go ahead as scheduled. Visitors will enjoy live music, free cooking demonstrations, ticketed events, celebrity spectaculars, free family entertainment and much more."

The leader of Bolton Council, councillor Nick Peel, praised the work of the community. He said: "Everyone has been