Wigan’s Tourism Unit, part of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) is planning the borough’s inaugural Food and Drink Festival for this October – and there’s not a pie in sight.

The 10 day event, from 5-15 October will see local restaurants and pubs showing off their favourite food and drink as well as tours, talks, demonstrations and taste sessions. Local residents can even get family recipes published in a festival cook book called ‘Jackbit’ – Wigan slang for food.

The book already contains contributions from Wigan Borough-based chefs and local celebrities. Celebrity chefs signed up so far include actor Sir Ian McKellen, broadcaster Stuart Maconie, jazz artist Georgie Fame, TV’s Fred Talbot, Meena Pathak, newsman Dave Guest and Hollyoaks’ Leah Hackett.

Festival organiser Keith Bergman, tourism development manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said: “Wigan has a great and proud food and drink heritage.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate local culinary delights and get the message across that our borough has a lot more to offer than just pies.”