Storm Lilian has meant day one of Bolton Food and Drink Festival has had to be postponed - but all being well the fun should start as planned tomorrow.

This year's event was set to open today, with a VIP launch in the morning.

Council officers had taken the decision to delay the opening to the public until 2pm after weather warning for issued yesterday - but now today's trading has had to be cancelled.

Traders have received an email and will be given regular updates.

Bolton Council confirmed the update this morning and hopes the event can open on Saturday once the area has been made safe. 

In a statement, Bolton council said: "Following heavy winds during Storm Lilian, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the start of Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

"Work is now underway to ensure that as much of the festival site as possible can open on Saturday morning.

"Gazebos, tents and other events infrastructure have been severely damaged or significantly displaced overnight and early on Friday morning.

"This will require an extensive clean-up operation before the site is safe for the public and our traders.

"As with all major council events, contingency plans were in place in case of bad weather.

"Unfortunately, localised gusts in the town centre were significantly higher than forecast.

"We apologise to the public, market traders, performers and sponsors for the inconvenience this has caused.

"We have not taken the decision to postpone lightly, however the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved with the festival is always our top priority.

"Bolton Food and Drink Festival has a well-earned reputation as one of the biggest and best-run events of its kind in the country.

"We hope the public will come out in force during the rest of the bank holiday weekend to support our many outstanding local traders, artists and performers.

"Visitors will enjoy live music, free cooking demonstrations, ticketed events, celebrity spectaculars and free family entertainment across Saturday, Sunday and Monday."

More to follow.