INTERNATIONALLY renowned chef Paul Heathcote will be among the guests at a special countryside event this month.

Mr Heathcote, who runs a successful restaurant in Longridge as well as a brasserie in Manchester, will open a "Food of the Forest" day at Bowland Visitor Centre on Saturday.

The event will promote produce grown in and made around the Forest of Bowland in the Ribble Valley.

The day has been organised jointly by Lancashire County Council's countryside and commercial services, who manage a cafe facility at the visitor's centre.

There will be a wide range of produce on display and cheese-making demonstrations will also take place.

Among the other guests will be County Councillor and former leader of Hyndburn Council George Slynn, now chairman of Lancashire's planning, industrial development and tourism committee.

He said: "I am delighted to be attending this event which is aimed at promoting local produce, closing the gap between producers and consumers, developing a market for local produce and helping consumers understand the link between food and the countryside."

The event will open at 10.30am and demonstrations will take place at 11.30am and 2pm.