And this time it is not the area's MP who needs their vote, but chef Nigel Haworth, of Northcote Manor, Langho! He is appearing in the television final of the Great British Menu which hits our screens again on Monday at 6 p.m. It will be the start of a week-long contest to decide who has created the dishes that best capture Britain's fabulous food heritage.

Nigel's Great British menu has created a North-South divide after winning through his round of BBC2's Great British Menu to earn a place in the televised finals.

Triumphing over friend and fellow chef, Anthony Flinn, Nigel, pictured, will be flying the flag for the North when some of the UK's top talents fight it out for the honour of cooking at a star-studded evening at London's iconic Gherkin building. Hosted by Heston Blumenthal, guests include some of the world's leading chefs. It is the culmination of this year's competition and a major feather in the gastronomic cap of the winner.

But Nigel's passage to the final has created something of a local controversy. Despite one of the three judges, Matthew Fort, being a Whalley lad, they panned Nigel's chosen pudding – Lancashire curd tart, rose petal cream and redcurrants.

"Nobody on earth should have to taste that", said Oliver Peyton. Prue Leith said she would "No more send that to the Gherkin than fly to the moon!", and Matthew Fort said he thought Nigel "may have sent out for this".

What's puzzling Nigel and his team at the Michelin starred Northcote Manor, is the huge demand from diners to try it for themselves and their verdict? They absolutely love it!

"Could it be that we have more refined palates than our southern-based compatriots? Or do they simply not appreciate the wonderful flavours that combine to create some of the classic dishes that have helped make the North West the food capital of Britain?" was Nigel's reply.

Undaunted, Nigel has also made the dessert available at his Ribble Valley Inns. Both the Three Fishes at Mitton and the Highwayman at Nether Burrow currently feature it on their menus along with a line-caught Whitby cod dish which wowed the judges and will be part of Nigel's menu for the final where it's the viewers votes that count.

Nigel's menu is warm hot-pot salad, sweetbreads, pickled red cabbage, line-caught Whitby cod, trotters, tripe, broad beans and peas
British white beef, smoked marrowbone, baby cauliflower, watercress puree, rhubarb, custard crumble, rhubarb granita, blood orange espuma.
Nigel aims for the North to come out on top...and this time it's rhubarb for the judges! So your votes will count and help the Ribble Valley tell the country what a gastronomic experience in paradise it is. Join the "Vote for Nigel" campaign!

To find out more about voting, log on to www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/menu_index.shtml

Nigel is offering one of our readers the fantastic opportunity for two people to try his Great British Menu at Northcote Manor.
Question: Which of the judges comes from Whalley?
Send your answer, together with name and address and telephone number, to Great British Menu Competition, Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, Clitheroe, Lancs. BB7 2EW by Monday, May 26th. (s)