SIX East Lancashire pubs have been named in a guide that aims to list the best places to eat and drink.

The pubs which have made the grade in the 2008 edition of the Michelin's Eating Out in Pubs guide are: The Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook; Three Fishes at Mitton; The White Bull, Ribchester; The Inn at Whitewell; The Fence Gate Inn, Fence, and The Forest Inn, also located in Fence.

For The Feilden's Arms, the accolade comes only seven months after Blackburn chef Steve Midgley took over the running of the pub.

Steve was visited by an inspector from Michelin just six weeks after re-opening the Mellor Brook venue in February and was pleased by the inclusion.

He said: "To say I am delighted is an incredible understatement. For most chefs the Michelin guide is the one that matters. I'm really proud of the staff, it's a real honour.

"I have worked in a number of Michelin star restaurants throughout my career and I know how tough it is to please the inspectors.

"Some people work for years to get a mention, so to manage it within months of opening is fantastic news."

The other pubs to make it in for the first time in several years were The White Bull and the Fence Gate Inn.

Chris Bell, who took over The White Bull last December, said it was a tremendous achievement to make it in to the guide.

He said: "We are a bit surprised to be honest. It wasn't our aim when we took over to focus on getting in to things like this.

"We just wanted to get established but this just confirms what we are doing."

Keely Berkins of the Fence Gate also expressed her pleasure at making it in to the guide and said it was testament to what they were trying to achieve.

Every pub has a full page entry with a colour picture and descriptive text giving an insight into its character.

Other information includes opening times, directions, prices, typical dishes and the beer they serve.