THE bricks that made Accrington world-famous are to be given a tasty new twist for the town’s food festival.

Catering students from Accrington and Rossendale College have made 200 edible versions of the NORI building blocks to construct the centrepiece of the annual summer event.

Rather than build a model of one of many global landmarks made of the bricks, such as the Empire State Building in New York, the youngsters decided to make a Second World War Anderson Shelter.

This brought together the student's wish to commemorate both the NORI brick and the town’s contribution in the two global conflicts of the 20th Century, most notably the bravery and sacrifice of the Accrington Pals during the First World War.

As well as the edible bomb shelter the budding caterers have produced ‘Victory Garden’ Cucumber Gin and Tonic Sorbet.

Both will be on showcased in the Market Hall on Saturday, June 3, as the Accrington town centre is turned over to the the annual food festival for the day.

During workshops, festival organisers Scott Dawson Advertising challenged the first-year students to come up with signature food and drink items.

Students used a sponge mix and red food dye to create each block.

Children visiting the festival will be invited to pipe their names in icing before the cake bricks are ‘cemented’ together with butter cream to make a model of the iconic bomb shelter.

On the main stage, under the watchful eye of celebrity chef Richard Fox, two students will whip up a cucumber gin sorbet before moulding it into a Nori brick.

The college’s commercial chef Jack O’ Sullivan said: "The students wholeheartedly embraced the challenge.

“They wanted to choose things they thought most represented the area like the Accrington Pals and Nori brick.”

Student Bailey Cochran, 16, said: “I was really excited about this project.

“I have been to the festival for the past three years and this year will be even more special now I am studying catering.”