A new food festival by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge sold 40,000 tickets in just 24 hours after tickets went on sale last week.

Pub in the Park, which made its debut at Marlow’s Higginson Park last year, will return to the town between May 17 and 20.

Last year tickets sold out in 24 hours, prompting Mr Kerridge to take the festival national – going to Bath, Tunbridge Wells and Knutsford this year.

Foodies will be treated to the culinary talents of Mr Kerridge, along with Josh Eggleton, Atul Kocchar, Angela Hartnett and Paul Ainsworth, who will cook up a storm for crowds, while Mel C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Razorlight, Billy Ocean and Tom Odell will entertain guests with their music.

Texas, Will Young and KT Tunstall will also be playing at the festivals, and other chef demos include The Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown.

Food will also be served from pop up pubs, including Mr Kerridge’s two Marlow pubs, The Hand & Flowers and The Coach, as well as The Sportsman, which was named the UK’s best pub in the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards.

Mr Kerridge said: “I am delighted to be able to share the magic of Pub in the Park with the beautiful British places of Bath, Tunbridge Wells and Knutsford.

“Expect great food, brilliant music and an ace day out.”