Hundreds of crisp lovers turned out to see ex-England footballer Gary Lineker and TV stars Gemma Collins and Fred Sirieix take over a Kent town yesterday.

The trio were in Sandwich to take part in a debate on whether crisps should be eaten in sandwiches, led by Walkers.

More than 1,000 people came to see the celebrities as they took to the balcony at the Guildhall.

The Only Way is Essex star Gemma led the debate for crisps in, while Fred, a French maître d'hôtel best known for appearing on Channel 4's First Dates, led the call for crisps out.

Meanwhile Walkers frontman Gary Lineker was also on-hand to host the day-long extravaganza, which saw Fred and Gemma proceeding through the town on potato tractors to rally up supporters.

Former England player Gary joined the parade on an open air bus.

Residents watched the kmfm-promoted event from their homes and the street as the famous faces made their cases for crisps in or out.

In the end,1,500 locals turned out to vote - equating to over a third (34%) of the town’s residents - with 54% voting crisps in.

Gemma was made honorary 'President of Sandwich' as the winning party.

She said: "This is the biggest and best accolade I’ve ever won in my life - I’m coming to Sandwich every year from now on.

"I’m the Sandwich president now hunnies!

"At first, I said I ain’t getting involved, but how can I not?

"I knew that the people of Sandwich would make the right decision - and that’s crisp IN, hunnies!

"The GC was born to be president, and I can’t think of a town I’d rather rule over.

"Think I’ll treat myself to my favourite combo - that’s Cheese & Onion crisps with salad cream on white bread - to celebrate!"

Fred Sirieix, crisp out party leader, added: "I’m a purist and believe sandwiches are sacred - you don’t mix wine and water, so don’t mix crisps and sandwiches!

"But the people of sandwich have spoken, and the verdict is that crisps belong IN sandwiches.

"I guess rules are meant to be broken, so I’m off to treat myself to my first-ever crisp sandwich to honour the result!"

Former Tottenham striker and Match of the Day presenter Gary added: “I’m team #crispin all the way!

"As a lot of people know, I’m a lifelong advocate of crisps and for me there’s no better way to enjoy them than between two slices of bread.

"Armed with my clear favourite flavour, Salt & Vinegar crisps in a roast chicken sandwich makes for a formidable partnership!"

Teacher Charlene Worthington, from Sandwich, said: “There’s something happening every week here in Sandwich, but this has definitely been the highlight of the year so far - to have Gemma Collins and Fred here has been absolutely fantastic.

"I was originally crisp in, but I got pulled into the crisp out parade.

"I did still vote with my heart though – it can only ever be crisp in; a sandwich isn’t a sandwich without a bit of crunch.”

The vote rounds up weeks of fierce campaigning which included the release of an official campaign video, featuring the likes of Nigella Lawson, Gordon Ramsay, Ed Balls and hosted by Munya Chawawa.

According to Walkers, 2.3 billion crisp sandwiches are consumed in Britain each year, equating to up 35 crisp sarnies each year per UK adult, or 1-2 a month.

When it comes to the preferred combination, a cheese sandwich on white bread, with ready salted crisps was revealed to be the UK’s top crisp sandwich of choice.