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Celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine has praised Accrington’s independent retailers and called for shoppers to support their local traders.

During an appearance as the star guest at Accrington’s Lancashire Food Festival last weekend, Gizzi took time out from running live Korean cookery demos to praise the town’s Market Hall, giving its fresh meat, fish, bread, fruit and vegetable stalls the thumbs up.

She said: “Accrington market hall is a great showcase for the amazing produce and agriculture of the region.

“I’m a passionate supporter of local produce, I’ve done food markets all over the world and it’s really nice to be in a market that is so buzzing and so open to fresh ideas.”

Gizzi said the whole idea behind the recent Lancashire Food Festival was to 'get everyone thinking about shopping locally.

She said: “The supermarkets aren’t the be all and end all, but when you have such great food on your doorstep you need to utilize it.

“It's obvious around here that we've got amazing produce and it's being showcased.

“We need to be building relationships with local producers and stepping away from the supermarkets.

“Even if it’s just for that one cut of meat for your Sunday roast and some lovely fresh vegetables to go with it.”

Around 4,000 food fans visited the 17th annual food festival which was held in and around the town hall.