READERS are being asked to vote for the best Italian eatery in East Lancashire as part of the Lancashire Telegraph’s first Food and Drink Awards.

The winners of each category, which includes best pub, restaurant and takeaway, will be announced in December.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE...

People have been putting their suggestions on the paper’s Facebook page and website, and today, readers can vote on the winner.

From all the nominations a seven-strong shortlist has been narrowed down.

The shortlist of readers’ nominations is: Franco’s, Oswaldtwistle, Checco’s, Great Harwood, Cucina’s Seventy Three, Whalley, Bellissimo, Burnley, Amalfi Lounge, Darwen, Mezzo, Samlesbury, All Fired Up - Mobile Pizza, Accrington, Mangiamo, Darwen, La Locanda, Gisburn and Alghero Restaurant, Withnell.

A different category will be revealed every Monday and readers are being asked to nominate their favourite and then vote for a winner.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE...

You can also vote by email to robert.kelly@nqnw.co.uk, or a copy of this page can be mailed to Robert Kelly, 1 High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT.

The last method gives the readers’ favourite from the shortlist five votes.

Closing date for online poll and e-mail is October 25, at 5pm, and October 28, for postal votes.