A RIBBLE Valley restaurant has been named as the number one place in the UK for using local produce.

The Three Fishes at Mitton, near Whalley, won the inaugural Regional Food Award at the AA Hospitality Awards at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London.

Refurbished and reopened in 2004, The Three Fishes menu utilises local and regional produce such as Wild Morecambe Bay Sea Bass, Wallings Farm Free Range Gloucester Old Spot Chipolatas, to the Length of Lancashire Cheeseboard.

Owners Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft said they were honoured that their work sourcing regional produce had been recognised.

They said: "We are delighted to have received this award from the AA.

"The Three Fishes has gone from strength to strength since re-opening and this award endorses our continued commitment to excellent British produce and the local food heroes who supply it."

The regional category acknowledged the restaurant in the UK which the judges felt best promoted local produce.

Peter Birnie, the AA's chief hotel and restaurant inspector, added: "The food at The Three Fishes is outstanding, whilst the menu has embraced the flavours of regional cookery and British classics."

The Three Fishes serves an average of 2,000 people a week and in recent years the restaurant, which takes its name from the coat of arms of Whalley Abbey, has become highly-acclaimed for its food.

It is likely that a building has stood on the same site serving travellers from the 15th century onwards.

Nigel Haworth, who, along with Craig Bancroft, runs Northcote Manor, Langho, is also a member of the panel seeking to establish the Ribble Valley Food Trail, which was launched in the summer.

The search is now on to find the best food producers, retailers and restaurants in a bid to turn the borough into a premier UK food destination.