A SLICE of Lancashire was served up to some of the most influential men in Europe at a special lunch hosted by Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

Mr Straw, the Foreign Secretary, invited top chef Nigel Smith chef patron of the Feilden's Arms at Mellor Brook to cook the three-course meal at the Palace of Westminster.

Among the guests was Mr Pat Cox, the president of the European Parliament.

Nigel Smith said: "I have cooked for Mr Straw on numerous occasions when he is up in his constituency but this was the first time I have been asked down to London.

"It was a honour to do so and I'm glad to say that everything went extremely well. We were under a bit of pressure because lunch started at 1.15pm and Mr Straw had to give a televised press conference at 2pm which he couldn't miss."

For the lunch, Nigel prepared a menu of scallops with mushy peas as a starter, a main course of Goosnargh chicken and lemon tart for dessert.