NANTWICH'S Food Festival is set to become the biggest in the UK and increase revenue in the borough by a staggering £ million.

Stall space is selling out rapidly despite the event still being three weeks away and over 50 food stalls from local and nationwide food producers have already been taken.

Borough Councillor for the local environment Doug Butterill is delighted with the interest shown so far in the build up to this year's event.

He said: "The demand has been incredible and there is going to be a staggering variety of food on offer including beef, lamb, pork, buffalo, bacon, turkey and chicken.

"Things are going extremely well and everyone is very upbeat about it. We are hoping it will be the biggest in the country.

"We are predicting that it will increase revenue in the borough by £ million with people visiting and spending money in hotels, cafes, restaurants and local shops.

"It is quite amazing when you think it is only last year that the Sustainability Alliance was campaigning for the Farmers' Food Market which will be running on Saturday."

This year's festival marquee will feature gourmet food stalls displaying duck, ostrich, cheese, bread, pies, country wines and fruit punches.

The event kicks-off at 7.30pm on Thursday September 25 at Nantwich Museum with an all ticket event featuring local wine and cheese.

Other attractions include celebrity chefs who have been booked to appear in the Theatre of Themes cookery theatre.

These include Thyme to Dine's Chenoa Parr, the Indian Food Guru, television's Brian Mellor, Ladies in Pigs and Crewe Hall's Jonathan File.

Those attending will be in for an eye-opening experience when nationally renowned cheese expert Robert Kitching of Leagram Organic Dairy demonstrates how to make cheese in just 40 minutes.

On the Friday visitors are invited to attend the first of three free events at Mill Island to look around the 50-plus stalls in the regional food fair.

In addition to the stalls on Friday, visitors will have the chance to visit the Made in Cheshire Produce Fair in Nantwich Town Square.

A variety of Cheshire producers, such as Alison's Homemade and cookery demonstrations from The Microwave Kitchen and the Vegetarian Society, will be on view all day long.

The 'Made in Cheshire' team will also be giving away food samples throughout the day and the brand new Festival Cheese and Made in Cheshire Cookbook will be on sale.

On top of all this, a festival parade featuring children from Victoria High and Malbank High Schools, and a harvest festival at the Methodist Church will also be providing the entertainment.

Cllr Butterill added: "We are hoping that the success of the festival will result in an increase in demand for produce in the whole of the borough and that it will help to increase networking among companies throughout the UK and other countries."

l Tickets for Thursday's event at Nantwich Museum are available from Nantwich Tourist Information on 01270 610983.