A SEVEN-day festival of food featuring some of the country's top chefs is set to take place in East Lancashire.

The Festival of Food and Wine, being hosted by Northcote Manor, Langho, has already become world renowned among gastronomes, helping to boost tourism in the Ribble Valley and the latest event -- the fourth to be held at the Northcote Road venue -- will see seven chefs from the countries top eateries come to the area.

Each of the seven chefs will spend one day of the week-long festival in January.

They include celebrity chef Giorgio Locatelli, a presenter on the quirky BBC cooking programme Tony & Giorgio.

And Northcote's own Nigel Haworth will be cooking on the final day.

Mr Haworth, chef patron at Northcote Manor, said: "We are so proud to be able to bring to Lancashire this galaxy of stars from the culinary world.

"This is our fourth year of holding the festival at Northcote Manor and the unbelievable interest that has been created is a testament to its success and firmly places the Ribble Valley as a serious gastronomic destination in the UK."

The chefs set to cook at Northcote Manor are some of the top names in the UK culinary world.

Each night, from January 26 to February 1, one chef will be on hand in the kitchens to help prepare their speciality menus.

Peter Gordon, from London restaurants Providores and Tapa Room; John Campbell, of Stockcross-based Vineyard; Rowley Leigh of Kensington Place, London; Darina Allen of the Ballymaloe Cookery School, Ireland; Philip Howard of The Square, London, Giorgio Locatelli of Locanda Locatelli, London and Blackburn's own Nigel Haworth will descend on the hotel for the festival.

Wine experts Miles Corish and Craig Bancroft will also be on hand during the week to select the correct tipple for each menu. To make a reservation at Northcote Manor during the festival week, call 01254 240555.

See www.northcotemanor.com for more information.