WINSFORD’S first German-style March Fest will kick off today, and town mayor and event organiser, Cllr Steve Smith, says it is a nationwide first.

The four-day festival will take place from today, Thursday, to Sunday and will feature a fun fair, food mall and Bavarian bar in Dene Drive, all free to enter.

It will be open from 6pm to 10pm on Thursday and Friday, 1pm to 10pm on Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.

The town mayor, Cllr Steve Smith, who has organised the event for the past two years, will officially open the festival at 6pm on Thursday.

He put on trips for Winsford residents to Christmas markets in Manchester and Lincoln during December has now decided to bring the German atmosphere to Winsford, and thinks holding the event away from the festive period will be key to its success.

Cllr Smith said: "This is really big for Winsford and I’m hoping it can attract people to the town from further afield. You have the German markets all over the place Christmas but I don’t think a Bavarian festival like this is done away from Christmas anywhere else in the country.”

Other paid-for events will be put on including a Bavarian Evening on Friday and Saturday, costing £10, and an over 50s tea dance on Sunday, costing £5.

For more information visit winsfordmarchfest.com