BLACK puddings from Accrington have fallen under the chandelier spotlight at a top London store. Fortnum and Mason are placing a regular order to sell Wild's black puddings after a sell-out taster day at the store.

Accrington butcher Arthur Wild, who runs Wild's cut meats and delicatessen in Warner Street with his wife, Celia, is over the moon.

Mr Wild, who manned the promotional stall in the store's food hall, said "It was an absolutely marvellous day and we haven't stopped talking about it since.

"I've never been in the store before. They have chandeliers all over and the chaps behind the counter are in jackets and pin-striped trousers," he added.

An international crowd stopped to try and buy a taste of Accrington.

Mr Wild said: "There were Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Israelis, New Zealanders, Canadians, the lot.

"A lot said they had tasted black puddings before and holidaymakers said they had had them for breakfast, but not like ours."

Fortnum and Mason contacted the butcher three weeks ago after seeing an entry in a trade food guide.

They asked for a sample of his home-made puddings and followed up with an invitation to promote them in the store.

"The head provisions buyer said there was such a high interest in them they will now be selling Wild's black puddings from Accrington.

"It is rather nice, particularly with some of the adverse publicity butchers have had lately," said Mr Wild.

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