A STUDENT from Clitheroe has won third place in the 2009 Young Chef finals.

Charlotte Griffiths from Ribblesdale High School fought it out against eight other regional finalists for the Manchester Young Chef Champion title as judged by celebrity chef, James Martin.

The competition saw the crème de la crème of young chefs competing for the prestigious award.

Contestants were judged for their recipe development and culinary skills as part of the ultimate cooking competition, now in its fourth year.

Charlotte wowed the judges with her recipe, Mexican chilli pie, in the hour-long cook off.