NANTWICH Food Festival volunteers gathered on Sunday at the Olive Tree in Nantwich to brush up on their skills.

Simon Walter of Rhino Safety trained 64 enthusiastic volunteers to ensure they are able to give a the best service to the nearly 40,000 visitors that come are expected to attend the annual Festival, and stay safe while they are on duty.

The briefing was a sociable event, with homemade cakes baked by Nantwich foodies behind the event adding to the occasion.

Jo Lowry the festival volunteer coordinator said: “It was great to see so many volunteers come and join us. We all take our roles very seriously and want to give a good service and to create a fantastic impression to visitors to Nantwich.

"But it was great to see the volunteers chatting and making new friends – that’s a big part of volunteering for an event like ours. Many of our volunteers come back each year because they enjoy the amazing atmosphere the festival creates.”

The Festival, which is on September 4-6, is a not-for-profit event run entirely by volunteers. It is probably the biggest food festival in the country with nearly 200 exhibitors from Cheshire and all over the world.

Volunteers will be taking on roles that include guided tours for schools, managing marquees, keeping food courts clean, litter picking and directing visitors if you would like to join them make contact via the festival website.

The festival will be recruiting more volunteers in Nantwich Town Centre on Saturday at 2pm.

People can also email info@nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk, send a Facebook message, www.facebook.com/nantwichfoodies or tweet them on twitter.com/nantwichfoodies

Find out more at www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk