CLITHEROE is set to become the food capital of Lancashire.

The county's tourist board has approved Clitheroe being labelled 'Lancashire's Food Town'.

The title will be added to signage in the town, and will herald a raft of new initiatives to showcase local produce.

A food festival is planned next year, while there are also proposals for street markets, a beer festival and special events, such as a mass picnic in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

Ribble Valley Council leader Michael Ranson announced the news at the full council meeting.

He said: "We will be able to market the town using the brand in conjunction with a Taste Lancashire strapline.

"It is expected that this year we will be able to gradually promote the name.

"Next year, we hope to plan a major food festival with the main focus on local produce, the artisan quality of local bakers and butchers, the local beers, cheeses, poultry and fine wines.

"And I hope that this new designation will assist them in gaining even greater recognition."

The use of the new title was also approved by bosses at the Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and the Ribble Valley Tourist Association.

Mike Wilkinson, chief executive at the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, said: "We have been using food and drink to attract visitors to the area for a long time.

"Lancashire has a long history of culinary excellence and many of the quality producers of food hail from the Ribble Valley.

"Therefore, designating it as Lancashire's Food Town was the logical next step and we hope it will attract more people to our fantastic food outlets."

Paul Howard of Cowman's Famous Sausage Shop, Castle Street, backed the title and said: "I think it's excellent news for Clitheroe.

"We have quite a lot of good shops, restaurants and producers and it will be good for them to be well known further afield.

"Anything that will encourage customers into the town has to be encouraged."