TV star Keith Chegwin to open Whitchurch festival

Chegwin, who only moved to Shropshire earlier this year, will open the two-day festival in Whitchurch at 10am tomorrow(SAT).

The event will also welcome Great British Bake Off Star Jo Wheatley as its other special guest.

She will attend the festival on the Sunday and complete two cookery demonstrations live on stage and judge the festival’s celebration cake competition which is open to the general public.

A wide range of products and activities will feature at the town centre event including a kids kitchen, face-painting, outdoor food court, live music and cookery theatre.

Whitchurch’s town centre manager Zoe Dean said: “This year we will be moving our artisan craft market up the high street so these outdoor stalls will lead visitors into the festival. We have an exciting mixture of traders joining us for all sections of the event.”

Other chefs demonstrating over the festival weekend include Brian Mellor from Harthill Cookery School, James Sherwin and Chris Burt.

Zoe added: “We have brought the festival forward by one week this year so that our event does not clash with the bank holiday; some of our regular exhibitors were unable to join us last year due this and it would also have been key holiday time.

"We want as many local people as possible to enjoy this free event in their town. The festival will always offer free entry so join us with the whole family in our lovely market town of Whitchurch.”