CHESTER Food & Drink Festival organisers are celebrating their biggest success to date.

The three-day event, which began on Saturday, attracted more than 20,000 visitors, who enjoyed cookery demonstrations from well-known chefs and gave a number of Cheshire companies a chance to showcase their produce.

Stephen Wundke, chairman of the Chester Food & Drink Festival, said: “This year’s festival was the best we have ever had in every way, not least because we had such beautiful weather - a big improvement on last year’s downpours.

“We welcomed 20,200 visitors to Chester Racecourse this year and a survey showed that 91% would like to come back again, and nearly all of the exhibitors want to book for next year.”

Plans are already being made to expand the festival to include arts, crafts and gardening and produce a more lifestyle-oriented event.

Stephen added: “We could be talking in excess of 50,000 people coming to Chester for what is proving to be the best Easter event in the country.”