ALTRINCHAM said ‘Je t’adore’ to the town’s third annual French Festival as visitors turned out in record numbers to support the event in Stamford Park.

Up to 5,000 people embraced the cultural exchange, taking advantage of free entry to indulge in a day of food, drink, music and

sport.

Despite its success Hale based festival director, Zainul Sachak, is already planning to build on his French Revolution and expand his Gallic party in the park for 2016.

Zainul said: “Each year our French Festival has grown and there is clearly an appetite for what we are doing. “It is hard work but rewarding when everything comes together and you receive fabulous feedback.

“Next year, I’d love to take the festival into Altrincham town centre for a weekend of French themed activities.

“We saw this time that word has spread outside the area with people coming from far and wide. We can make Altrincham a destination for people to

visit.

“The core element will remain in Stamford Park but I believe there is scope to spread the Festival into town.”

Graham Brady, MP for Sale and Altrincham West, again endorsed the Festival, attending Saturday’s Bastille Dinner at Bowdon Rugby Club.

Mr Brady said: “I have been delighted to come to the Festival every year. Every year there are more stalls, more activities, more families having fun and more money being raised for Marie Curie."

Dr. Carole Mindham chairman of Altrincham and Hale Marie Curie fundraising group Group said it hopes to raise £2,000 from the event and said donations are still coming in.

She added: "We would like to thank everyone for contributing to our raffle, tombola and name the bear, who incidentally turned out to be Antoinette. Another thank you must go to the sixth formers from Wellington School who ran a Water stall selling water donated by Tesco."

French born actress, Marie Triboulet, aka Mademoiselle Ooh La La, proved a popular roving MC.

* What did you think of the Festival? Write to Messenger, Alexander House, 94-6 Talbot Road, Old Trafford, M16 0PG or email sam.editorial@messengergrp.co.uk.