PUB landlord Stephen Prince isn't burying his head in the sand when it comes to unusual grub -- he's serving up ostrich!

And if adventurous customers urge staff to "make it snappy" or "jump to it" with their orders, they have the chance to sample crocodile and kangaroo!

Stephen and his wife Becky, of the Crown and Thistle Pub, in Darwen, wanted to bring a touch of culture to their customers and so started preparing food with a taste of the exotic.

Each month a different menu from a different country is offered to residents who perhaps want to break away from the normal pub food routine.

So instead of ordering fish and chips customers are being encouraged to cast their food nets farther afield and have something else. Like kangaroo, or ostrich. Or even crocodile.

This month Australia has been under the spotlight giving head chef Robert Williams the task of knocking something together associated with the land down under.

Landlord Stephen, 27, said: "He did crocodile with a snappy sauce which went down really well. The best way to describe crocodile is a cross between chicken and fish."

Ostrich with salsa and salad was also served as were kangaroo fillets cooked to the customer's liking.

Last month the chef tackled the traditional Argentinian dish chimichurri, a tangy sauce, and next month he will have to prepare something more akin to South Africa.

Stephen said: "I look on the internet for the different recipes or in an international recipe book for the ideas and Robert cooks them.

"He is very happy about it actually he likes doing all the different dishes. It's a challenge and it's nice to try something different."

Stephen and Becky, who both try their foreign food before they unleash them on to the customers, believe they are the only place in East Lancashire to serve such dishes -- a hearty boast backed up by the Good Pub Guide.

Editor David Hancock said: "I don't know of many people putting that many unusual, exotic meals on a menu but as access to such products becomes easier chefs are becoming more adventurous."

The pub's "standard" fare also has a touch of culture surrounding it with dishes from across the world such as Russian stroganoff and Chinese stir-fry.