LANCASHIRE hotpot is in the running to receive protected status after it was named the region’s favourite local food.

The speciality could be given protected geographical indication status (PGI), which means it could only be made in Lancashire, after it won the regional heat of the UK’s Favourite Regional Delicacy contest.

Competition organisers have said that winning the coveted status would ensure the dish’s authenticity and quality.

But a top Lancashire chef has said that limiting where the delicacy can be made is not what the dish is about.

Nigel Haworth, head chef of Northcote Manor, Langho, said: “I see the point of PGI status with cheeses and meats, but a hotpot is a dish we would want people to celebrate all over the world.

“You get the best hotpot in Lancashire, so I understand the interest in it, but I am not sure it is the right thing to do to only allow people to make it in Lancashire.

“To me, the great thing about Lancashire hotpot’s rise to prominence is that it is a super dish that should be made by people all over the world.”

But the competition organisers have said that the status would ensure the quality of hotpot and make sure it was recognised as a Lancashire speciality.

Laura Dodds, from Meat Promotion Wales, which runs the competition, said: “As a nation, we are very proud of our local delicacies and this competition helps celebrate that. We love that people have embraced the competition and used it to celebrate other fantastic regional specialities like Lancashire Hotpot.”

The competition is part of a new campaign to raise awareness of PGI, which is a European-awarded quality mark for food produce which has a guaranteed regional origin.

There are currently 21 UK products with PGI status and a further 28 are going through the application status.

These include London’s Jellied Eel, Lincolnshire Saus-ages, Devon Cream Tea, Welsh Cakes, Kentish Cobnuts, Scottish Haggis, Irish Stew, Yorkshire Pudding and Parmo for North East England.