Bury's first food and drink festival, which has a new date following an enforced delay, is expected to be a "landmark event" for the town.

Bury Food and Drink Festival was set to take place in November but had to be postponed after the indoor market closed on October 26 following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved concrete (RAAC).

But on Friday, the council announced a fresh date for the three-day festival, which will start on Thursday, May 23 and run until Saturday, May 25.

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The town centre will be packed with pop-up food markets, artisan drinks and craft stalls, music and live entertainment.

Vendors will take up residence around the "Golden Mile" and Georgiana Block areas of Bury Market, and also Kay Gardens, next to the Sir Robert Peel statue and The Haymarket.

Although the event was postponed last year, Bury Beer Festival took over Derby Hall at The Met in November, with more than 1,000 visitors going to the event.

And it is hoped the food festival will also prove to be very popular.

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Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills, said: "The first ever Bury Food and Drink Festival is going to be a landmark event for our town and our borough.

“Please do come along and get a taste of what's on offer, which will include everything from local fayre familiar to Bury and new flavours from around the world.

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"It's been a difficult time for the market since the closure of the indoor market Hall, so I'm thrilled that the food and drink festival will show off the world famous Bury Market and our fantastic traders."

A list of vendors and stallholders has been released on the council's website as well as information on how to become a stallholder.

Last month, market traders were presented with the findings of surveyors’ reports into the condition of the indoor market hall with the council now considering five options for its future.

The reports suggest that dealing with the RAAC, and carrying out other essential repairs to the existing building, could cost at least £6m.

The sudden closure of the market forced 49 stallholders out of the building and into new locations at the Mill Gate Shopping Centre and on Princess Parade.