ONE of Lancashire’s leading chefs served up a culinary treat for returning soldiers on a prime-time BBC programme last night.

Nigel Haworth, chef and co-owner at Northcote Manor, Langho, was the man behind the main course at the finale of the Great British Menu.

Returning heroes from Afghnistan were treated to a four-course banquet hosted by Ross Kemp at the RAF’s historic Halton House.

Nigel, who won the North of England heats on last year’s show, won the North West heat this year, and his main dish went on to be voted the best served up by any of the 16 chefs.

The inspiration for the banquet was ‘A Taste of Home’, and the judges felt that Nigel’s Lonk Lamb Lancashire Hotpot helped perfectly capture that feeling.

Nigel said he was honoured to cook for the returning heroes.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “I'm was delighted to be at the banquet with my main course.”

In the North West heat Nigel, who has two Michelin stars, beat Aiden Byrne, former Dorchester Hotel chef, and the youngest ever to win a Michelin star.

Judge Prue Leith praised the winning dishes: “What is really exciting for me is that they haven't made these traditional British things stodgy and boring – they are exquisite.

“Their skill, their passion for it, it's just lifted it to a degree that is just sublime.”