A butcher wants customers to forget meats such as kangaroo for Christmas lunch and stick to traditional dishes.

Austin Anderton, who helps run family business Brendan Anderton Butchers, in Longridge, can acquire virtually any meat given enough time.

But he is telling customers in search of an alternative to turkey to spurn meats like bison, crocodile, snake and kangaroo in favour of specialist chickens, partridge, veal, or venison.

He said: "A few years ago people reckoned that exotic meats were going to be all the rage, but they never really did take off.

"I have a specialist supplier who can get hold of pretty much anything for us.

"But I wouldn't recommend kangaroo for Christmas. Some people find it quite tough.

"If you want something nice, an Old English Cock chicken is something to go for.

"We have that at Christmas - it's more succulent than turkey.

"Goose is also a good choice, but quite expensive."

Mr Anderton said Goosnargh duck was also extremely popular at his store.

"Our Scotch Venison that comes from the Balmoral estates is also popular," he added.