EITHER by night or by day Bolton is the best -- say organisers of the latest festival to hit the town centre.

To give visitors an idea of the range of shops and activities in Bolton the Town Centre Company is laying on a five-day festival with each of the days revolving around a theme.

The Daytime-Nightime event includes everything from pub pyjama parties and a Ready Steady Cook challenge to Feng Shui advice and a search for Bolton's most inventive sandwich. There is even a huge breakfast party planned to run along Deansgate.

"We want to show visitors the town centre can cater for all their needs and give some fun and advice along the way," said Karen Wheeldon, from Bolton Town Centre Company.

"It involves as many many businesses and voluntary organisations as possible."

The event co-incides with the World of Food Festival on September 9 and its food testing at the Clarence Street Centre.

Next week a recipe book featuring the dishes people can sample will be available free at locations around the town centre.

Daytime-Nightime swings into action on Thursday, September 7, with "Around the World in 24 Hours" when shops around the town will be featuring travel related products and demonstrations.

Nearer to home the following day will be "Home in on Style" when people can get tons of advice about decorating, fashionable new looks for their houses and tips about gardening.

In the town centre marquee, which will be in action throughout the festival, there will be demonstations of useful gadgets, flower arranging, Feng Shui and an antiques roadshow where visitors can get valuations on their prized possessions.

Pleasing the palate and the stomach are the order of the day on the Saturday with cookery demonstrations, free tasting sessions and wine tippling.

One of the highlights of the day will be a Ready Steady Cook challenge when chefs from six Bolton restaurants will be given the same ingredients and asked to create a tasty dish within an hour.

After all the running about on Saturday, "Leisurely Sunday" is more relaxed with a Big Breakfast along the length of Deansgate from 11.30am, with bowls of cornflakes donated by Marks and Spencer and proceeds going to local charities.

For those fancying a more energetic time, David Lloyd Leisure will be putting on an aerobics display in Victoria Square.

Bolton Hospice will benefit from an afternoon tea dance in Battle of Britain 40s style at the Atrium Restaurant in Whitakers.

And in the evening the Man and Scythe pub on Churchgate is going lyrical with a competition to compose the best verse.

The body beautiful rounds off the festival on Monday with "Passion for Fashion and Beauty" at various Bolton stores giving free make-up and skincare advice plus fashion tips.

Victoria Hall is the venue in the evening for a spectacular fashion show where the winners of competitions held throughout the festival will also receive their prizes.