PASTRY fans young and old all had a slice of the pie at Ramsbottom's popular pie festival.

The third annual event featured more than 1,000 people cram into the church gardens in Bridge Street, to sample the finest pastry treats the town has to offer.

One visitor who got more than he bargained for was John Towriess, who was crowned the unlikely winner of a Man v Food style pie eating competition.

The competitors were each given a plate of pork pies which they were challenged to eat, and the pie eater who managed to eat the most in one minute was crowned the victor.

However Mr Towriess, from Ramsbottom, did not have it all his own way as he was forced to compete in a sudden death eat-off after he tied with another competitor, but he eventually emerged as winner.

The 26-year-old said: "I didn't think I would be competing in a pie competition before I came down!

"It's the first time I have done anything like this before, I think I will have to practice before next year's festival."

He managed to eat three pork pies in a minute, and was given a special T-shirt to show off and prove his eating skills.

Among the residents enticed by the lure of pies was David and Nicole MacDonald, who brought their three-year-old son Noah to the festival.

Mrs MacDonald, of Crow Lane, Ramsbottom, said: "I am more of a fan of cakes, but David loves pies! It is good for Ramsbottom, it is good to see so many people coming down into the town centre."

The event featured more than 15 stalls sampling the best of local produce, with Ramsbottom firms including the Eagle and Child and Park Farm represented.

There was also a guess the weight of the pie competition and an adult and junior pie bake off.

It is organised every year by the Ramsbottom Business Group, which aims to promote small businesses in the town.

Gregg Fletcher, the chairman of the group, said: "We have built it up over the years and it is bigger and better than ever before this year.

"This year people have been asking us if they can come and trade, so that is going in the right direction.

"Everybody loves pies, and it is a bit of something different to bring people together and to support businesses."