NORTHCOTE is celebrating retaining its Michelin star and that the second restaurant in Lancashire to win the fine dining award is run by one of its former trainee chefs.

Bosses at the Langho Hotel are ‘very pleased’ to keep the top culinary accolade for the 21st consecutive year.

Joint managing directors Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth are also delighted that after years as Lancashire’s on such rated restaurant,they have been joined by The Moor Hall near Ormskirk.

Its chef, Mark Birchall, trained in Northcote’s kitchens before honing his skills at the two Michelin Star L’Enclume in Cumbria.

There are still no restaurants in Greater Manchester to hold one of the Michelin stars, awarded to restaurants of excellence in the annual Michelin Red Guide.

Mr Bancroft, who has run Northcote with celebrity chef Mr Haworth for more than 30 years,said: “We are very pleased.

“We work very hard to keep our Michelin Star and get inspected, anonymously and without warning, at least twice year.

“This is our 21st consecutive year and its about delivering consistently high quality food for all our customers at every day of the year.

“It is double celebration as Mark Birchall started in Northcote’s kitchens as a trainee chef before going to L’Enclume and then founding Moor Hall.”