Chocolate delight at Ellesmere food festival

Mr Wonka will have a key role to play in this year's festival in Ellesmere, which has a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory theme, offering a trip to Cadbury World and a year's supply of chocolate to the winner of the event's fancy dress competition.

Lincoln McMullan, one of the organisers, followed in the footsteps of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp by donning Wonka's trademark hat and garish clothes and armed himself with a giant chocolate bar to help publicise the event.

He is hoping others will follow suit and dress up as characters from the classic film for the festival,which will be held on June 14 and 15 and is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors.

Up to 60 food and drink producers will show off their products including fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meat products, ice cream, wines, beers, and homemade chocolates and preserves over the two days at Ellesmere Town Hall.

Organisers say the event will coincide with Fathers Day enabling families to come together and enjoy the food, drink and events in and around the Ellesmere area.

There will also be chance to take a steamboat trip or hire a rowing boat to go around the Mere.

Mr McMullan, who is also chairman of the Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are in our eighth year and every year we get bigger and better.

"We are looking forward to a really good festival. Most of it is under cover so even if it rains people will still be able to enjoy themselves.

"We aim to expand it by providing more entertainment for people. This year there will be a fun fair by the Wharf.

"We have got a vast amount of food from around the world, including Thai and Indian.

"The theme is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and there will be a prize for the best fancy dress, which will be judged at 3pm on the Sunday.

"First prize is a family ticket to Cadbury World and a year supply of chocolate. There will also be plenty of runner-up prizes. The competition is open to everyone."