THOUSANDS of chocolate lovers descended on Ramsbottom for its annual festival.

The Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival kicked off today and it has already been described as the biggest and busiest yet.

The streets were packed with people as everyone enjoyed the wide range of treats on offer at the event's tenth year.

Organisers estimated as many as 7,000 people came along on Saturday alone as the community came to support one of the big events in the Ramsbottom calendar.

The event is run by husband and wife team Gregg and Terri Fletcher who hailed the event as a success once again.

Mr Fletcher said: "It is fantastic. It just gets bigger and bigger every year. It is very special. It has just grown every year and the crowds have gone up with it.

"I think because we do something different every year we get the support."

The event is now spread out throughout Ramsbottom and there was stalls down Bridge Street, in the grounds of St Paul's Church, in the Market Place, in Union Street and in the Civic Hall.

The range of chocolate treats has grown and this year there was chocolate wine, brownies, cakes, truffles, liqueurs and much more.

Even those without a sweet tooth had plenty to enjoy with hot street food including gourmet burgers, noodles and Yorkshire pudding wraps to get their teeth into.

There was plenty to keep youngsters entertained as well with rides and Lancashire Hawks and Owls in attendance.

There was even the Ice Alchemists who roll chocolate and ice cream in front of the customer.

For the adults there was gin and Prosecco to be enjoyed at the festival.

Mrs Fletcher thanked the community for the support.

She said: "We have quite a unique community in Ramsbottom and Bury where everyone does come down and help.

"Everyone has been saying how great it is. It is great for the local shop owners. The people come and see how pretty the town is and they come back in the next few months. It generates interest in the area."=

Some of the stallholders sold out on Saturday afternoon due to the demand for treats.

Lucy Mardon from Brown and Blond Brownies, said: "It has been great. It is a really fantastic event but it always is.

"We'll definitely come back next year."

It wasn't just the chocolate traders who enjoyed the busy festival.

Judy Rice-Jones, from Heritage Kitchen, a producer of relishes, chutneys, marmalades and vinegars said: "It is really good for the whole area. It has been good. We've been very busy."