PASTRY fans young and old all got all "pie-eyed" in Ramsbottom on Sunday.

The third annual Pie Festival attracted more than 1,000 people into the church gardens in Bridge Street, to sample some of the finest treats in town.

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 and given one minute to devour as many as they could.

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.

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, and 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.

Organised every year by the Ramsbottom Business Group, chairman Gregg Fletcher 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."