THE flavour of America’s deep south is being brought to East Lancashire by a Darwen couple.

Paul and Karen Bradley opened the doors on their new smokehouse last weekend and are offering authentic slow-cooked meat.

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Smokies Southern BBQ will be offering beef brisket, pork shoulder, chicken, home-made sausages, fries, coleslaw and ranch beans at its Duckworth Street venture.

Karen said: “It’s something we have done elsewhere.

“People in the UK are becoming a little more adventurous in their food tastes and want more than just a cheeseburger or bucket of chicken – and that’s where we come in.

“We grew up in Darwen. We have travelled for quite a while and we want a place to come back to where we are near our friends and family. The right premises came up which we have leased and we are currently refurbishing.”

The restaurant is currently being refurbished and the couple have taken delivery of the smoker.

Karen said: “My husband has always been keen on different types of food.

“He can take a relatively cheap cut of meat and cook it very slowly on a low heat and produce something that melts in the mouth.

“The meat is cooked for between six and 14 hours and it’s a 24-hour job, six-days-a-week.”

The couple have moved in above the property to tend to the produce after moving back to the town from Manchester.

Paul will be the pit master and Karen will be front of house.

Karen said: “We are very excited and nervous. Darwen hasn’t had anything like this before.”

The couple have taken over the former Oliver’s Coffee House.

Cllr Trevor Maxfield said: “The evening economy is absolutely booming at the moment .”