DEMAND for beef on the bone created a mini stampede across East Lancashire as many people abandoned the pre-Christmas dash for turkey in favour of steak, rib-eye and oxtail.

Meat-lovers tucked into their favourite tasty treat yesterday after a mouth-watering two year wait.

The ban on T-bone steaks and other beef on the bone was finally officially lifted and meat-eaters everywhere just couldn't get enough of it.

John Conlan of J. Conlan butchers, in Burnley Road, Padiham, welcolmed the news. He said: "I will be selling T-bone steak again and I think it's fantastic. It should have been back in the shops long ago."

Janet Kelly, whose husband owns M. Kelly butchers in the Arndale Centre, Nelson, said: "Everybody wants their beef and they have been asking if it will be back in time for Christmas and we can finally say yes. It is good news."

Mick Walsh, of M and MA Walsh butchers, in St Matthews Street, Burnley, said: "With all the rules and regulation it is a good thing that it has been sorted out now.

"It is going to take a long time to get back into selling it and I think people should have been given freedom of choice from the beginning.

"Only last week someone asked me for four T-bone steaks.

"People smoke and drink even though people die from it so they should be able to eat beef and make their own mind up."

Butcher Mike Tighe of Whittaker's on Blackburn's three-day market was absolutely rushed off his feet yesterday with customers buying beef on the bone. He said: "The lifting of the ban is good news for beef-lovers everywhere. Beef tastes so much better cooked on the bone and my customers can't get enough of it. Even during the ban I was inundated with requests for T-bones and rib-eye beef and now the ban has been lifted our stall is busier than ever.

"The way my sales are going I think beef on the bone could knock turkey off the top spot this Christmas day."

Christine Marshall, owner of Miles House Farm Restaurant in Ribchester, put beef on the bone back on her menu last night.

Christine spoke out against the ban and even served T-bone steaks to her diners with the bones cut out - and called the dish "Spineless - A la Government".

She said: "I'm so glad to see that the ban has been lifted and about time too. Beef on the bone is back on our menu - stuff the French."

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