NIGEL Haworth and Paul Heathcote have been named as Lancashire's newest taste ambassadors.

And the culinary pair have also penned the introduction to a new Lancashire Cook Book.

The Northcote legend and former Longridge restaurant proprietor have joined fellow East Lancs foodie icons Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Stosie Madi, Steven Smith, Mark Taft and Tom Parker on the crusade.

Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: "Paul and Nigel have inspired many young Lancastrians into the kitchen and today these chefs are also making their mark at the highest level.

"We're very proud to be working with all our Taste Lancashire Ambassadors, partners and producers who together, are more determined than ever to bring the county’s unrivalled food & drink offer to national and international attention."

The cook book, subtitled Second Helpings, is a follow-up to a collection brought together by Meze Publishing.

Council chiefs in Ribble Valley have also been marketing the borough as 'food heaven' and have devised a series of trails to showcase their smaller producers.