TASTE buds were tested, tickled and tantalised at this year's Young Masterchef of The Year competition.

And two budding Blackpool chefs have been picked as the cream of the crop.

Kirsty Roe and Lucy Bury, pupils at Bispham High School, pictured here with their teacher Diane Cridland and TV presener Ian Aspin, and both aged 15, whipped up a flurry of delightful dishes to clinch victory, and the judges took so much time savouring their meals they had to be told to hurry up!

As a special prize the girls appeared on Granada Tonight where they were interviewed by Lucy Meacock

The girls were shocked and delighted at their success.

"We didn't think we had a chance of winning because all the other dishes were so good," said Kirsty. "I can't believe we actually won!"

However, nobody was more impressed than the judges.

Ian Aspin thought the food produced was outstanding,

"None of the dishes would look out of place in a restaurant," he said. Another judge, Michael Golowicz, who has been judging the event for three years said, "The standard has improved every year.

"The finalists are all tremendously talented - the food served has been amazing."

This is the third time the event has been staged by Blackpool and the Fylde College and judges included Michael Golowicz, head chef at September Brasserie, Granada TV presenter Ian Aspin, local DJ Lionel Vinyl and the principal of the college Reg Chapman.

The secret of Kirsty and Lucy's success was in their recipe, and they chose their favourite foods, chicken and chocolate.

For the main course they served up a potato stack topped with vegetable stir-fry, shredded deep-fried leak and chicken breast stuffed with peppers in a cream and sherry sauce. The dessert was even more mouth watering for those with a sweet tooth as they served a chocolate cup filled with Cointreau soaked shortbread and orange mascarpone cream.

They both received a meal for four at Courtfield Suite, Blackpool, and the Fylde College's exclusive restaurant, plus Pleasure Beach ride tickets and free membership to the new American Pool Club, Route 9, plus £5 worth of free pool.