TV chef James Martin said it is a 'privilege' to see Bolton Food and Drink Festival grow to be the biggest in the country.

The former Saturday Kitchen star made his ninth appearance at the festival yesterday, taking part in a number of cooking demonstrations and singing the event's praises.

James jetted in from CarFest in Hampshire to help round off the weekend-long event.

The last day of the festival has been dubbed 'Martin Monday' as he makes the trip up for the day.

He wowed audiences with a French inspired chicken dish, fish in a gin and tonic batter and a strawberry sponge dessert.

James said: "It is very good to be back. It is amazing to see how big it has got. It is massive. They have done a fantastic job."

He has seen the event grow over the years to become one of the biggest and best in the country.

The marquee crowds were entertained and laughed away as James cooked, even borrowing a crutch from one member of the audience to spin some caramelised sugar during the 11am demonstration.

Speaking about the changes he has seen at the festival, James said: "Gradually over the years they pulled it out of the food hall and put it in the marquee.

"It has just got better and better. There is not anything like it. I tell other festivals to see Bolton and what they have done."

James is set to head to the United States to film James Martin's American Adventure next week but he is unlikely to be as impressed by anything over the Atlantic as he is by the festival.

He said: "There is passion from the people that organise it. Looking at the number of people that come, thousands and thousands of people come.

"To see it for the last nine years, to see what has happened here, it is a privilege. This a huge event."

James said he hoped to get a chance to explore and walk around the festival but his schedule was jam-packed with the demonstrations.

Following the demonstrations James signed books for fans, who could also enjoy some signature cocktails at the demonstrations.

The cooking demonstrations were full of helpful hints and tips, including the best way to make mashed potato is to make it equal parts potato, equal parts butter and equal parts double cream.

James said that the event is already in the diary for next year and that he hopes to come back once again to join the fun.

He will return to Saturday morning television screens this weekend as Saturday Morning with James Martin gets underway.

He will be welcoming celebrity guests into his home and cooking for them.