Food News, with Amanda Killelea

EAST Lancashire is home to a growing band of dedicated specialist food and drink producers and sellers.

Traditional and innovative methods are used to produce an extensive and mouthwatering range of speciality foods.

And with Lancashire favourites and food like granny used to make experiencing something of a renaissance in the country's top restaurants, traditional wholesome food has never been more popular. Now North West Fine Foods has decided to literally put our finest food establishments on the map.

The food and drink group has produced a fine food trail of the North West and no fewer than 16 East Lancashire food producers, shops and restaurants get a mention.

Ramsbottom Organics, Ramsbottom Victuallers and the Village Restaurant, all run by husband and wife team Chris Johnson and Ros Hunter, are already popular among foodies who like to eat all that is natural.

Organics, billed as the North West's first completely organic supermarket, offers fresh fruit and vegetables from dedicated organic growers, daily deliveries of organic bread, organic meat, sandwiches, snacks, health foods and household goods.

And for those with a traditional Lancashire sweet tooth, the guide recommends a trip to the famous Stockley's Sweets in Oswaldtwistle. The factory has made a full range of boiled sweets and caramels to time-honoured recipes since 1918, including coltsfoot rock, cinder toffee and sarsaparilla drops.

Also on the map for those who like a tipple is Moorhouses Brewery in Burnley, brewers of traditional ale and hop bitters.

The firm's award-winning Pendle Witch brew and champion beer Black Cat are now available in bottles.

One of the newest establishments to win a mention in the guide is Gilbert's, at the Grant Arms, in Ramsbottom. This new modern-British restaurant uses fresh, seasonal produce and diners are assured that no genetically modified ingredients are used.

The menu is changed regularly but some of the mouthwatering dishes on offer include stir-fried tiger prawns, noisettes of ostrich, and beef and Boddingtons pie.

Other top food outlets mentioned on the map include Quarlton Manor Farm, in Turton; Susan's Farmhouse Fudge, in Samlesbury, and Bowland Wild Boar, in Chipping.

For a copy of the guide contact North West Fine Foods on 01995 600073.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.