FOOD lovers enjoyed a two-day spread of the finest produce Lancashire has to offer.

Thousands of visitors to the Lancashire Food Festival in Accrington this weekend enjoyed rare foods like ostrich and bison burgers and special demonstrations from celebrity chef James Martin.

Between demonstrations on Sunday, James also joined the crowds sampling treats at stalls from numerous speciality food producers in Accrington Town Hall. James cooked up haddock with Welsh rarebit and ham hock with deepfried duck egg at North Lancashire Training Group’s Grange Lane Centre of Excellence.

He said: “The standard has been excellent at the festival with some really good stalls.

“I was keen to get the details of one, the smoked kipper stall, which I am thinking of using in the restaurant.

“Festivals like this are so important. It keeps small specialist suppliers going and it is a great way for them to get their produce direct to the public.

“People were obviously having a great time having a look around and trying new things.”

At Accrington Town Hall a number of different foods were on offer, from chocolate fountains, to curry sauces.

Specialist cheeses and smoked kippers featured alongside real ales, flavoured shots, home-made ice-cream and even kangaroo burgers. Visitor Angela Johnson, 42, from Clayton-le-Moors said: “I’ve been to see James’ demonstrations this morning and it was great. I’ve picked up some really good tips.

“The stalls are great this year and of course the nice weather has made it better than ever.”

Another festival goer, 33-year-old John Williams, from Accrington, said: “I was really impressed with the stalls and got some unusual things to try for dinner tonight.”