THERE was certainly food for thought at a Bolton Festival on Saturday when visitors sampled food from Asia, The Caribbean and China.

More than 600 people attended The World of Food Festival at Clarence Street Community Centre. There they were able to try tasty dishes representing a whole range of cultures from around the globe.

Steffie El Hassan, a Food and Health Advisor for Community Education, said the festival was a chance for people to be proud of their own culture, and to learn more about one another.

"Food is a nice way into other people's culture," she added. "The festival is a chance to celebrate what's traditional in the community, and helps people realise what a wonderfully multicultural society we have in Bolton."

Young and old alike enjoyed the chance to taste a variety of recipes - from traditional Irish fare to platters with a more exotic flavour like Blue Mountain Curried Lamb.

And, of course, including good old Lancashire favourites.

But food wasn't the only attraction at the event. It also included a creative arts and fashion show featuring work by students from Community Education classes. These also focused on the different cultures of the countries included in the festival, with an emphasis on breaking down cultural barriers.

The event was organised by Bolton's Community Education service, Community Healthcare Bolton and Bolton Junior Chamber.

It's the fourth such event, and, judging by public response, it's getting bigger and bigger.

Steffie said people had really enjoyed the day and their response was summed up on one of the suggestion forms completed on the day .... "Roll on World of Food 2000!"

PICS

jab Food2 F1605/17a - Kamini Patel,19, shows off these exquisite Indian Christmas decorations made of food on the Asian Elders Initiative food stall.

jab Food1 F1605/3 - ABOVE - Kathleen Ozard enjoys a well-earned cuppa and this Chinese cookery student chooses a drop of Chinese black tea.

jab Food3 F1605/25 - RIGHT - Getting into the mood on the Caribbean stall, Sarah Frangos, aged seven, displays the correct way to carry a pineapple.

jab Food5 F1604/30 - This visitor gets down to the serious business of food tasting at Saturday's World of Food Festival

jab Food4 F1604/26a - ABOVE LEFT - Tucking into a big pot of vegetable chilli are left Leo Brown, 6, and Helen Baron, 8 .

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.