SHORT of time, but in need of a hearty meal, we called in at The Myerscough Inn.

It’s not in the prettiest of locations, on the A59 opposite BEA at Samlesbury, but the inside of this roadside pub is a bit of a treat.

Tasteful, modern purple and green decor combines with wooden panels, and a snug side room makes a pleasant hideaway.

Despite plenty of tempting pub classics, for speed’s sake we chose hot sandwiches from the lunch menu — the Myerscough club and the beef and mushroom.

These came served in oven hot, half baguettes, with a dressed side salad and chunky, homecut chips which were about 30 seconds short of crisp perfection.

The chicken and bacon in the club were perfectly cooked; the bacon crisp without being dry, and the chicken perfectly moist and seasoned.

Finished off with leaves and some tasty tomato slices, and a side of mayonnaise, this was nigh on sandwich heaven.

But it was pipped to the post by the slightly unusual slant on beef and mushroom, which seriously ticked some boxes.

In most places this filling would be fried steak and fungi, but not here; the hearty chunks of super tender beef and large slices of mushroom were bound in a deep, stewy gravy.

Delicious — it was like a pie sarnie.

At £6.95 and £5.95 each, these were not cheap sandwiches but they were top-end.

With three soft drinks our bill was £18.95.

This is tasty, great quality cooking, but not necessarily the best value for money.