CURRANT affairs were the subject of discussion when the town's most famous delicacy was given a thorough taste test on Monday.

The inaugural Chorley Cake Challenge was hosted by Market Walk and competitors converged on Woolworths cafe with their freshly baked pastries.

The competition was judged by the Mayor, Councillor Danny Gee, assisted by MP Lindsay Hoyle and Market Walk's Lucy Thomas, who sampled the cakes in a blind tasting.

According to local historians the roots of the cake could date back to medieval times, possibly to the Crusades.

Traditionally the flat cakes are made from butter, sugar, baking powder, flour and currants, but competitors each had their secret recipes and additional ingredients.

Hazel Ratcliffe, of The Grove, Chorley, who has been baking the cakes for more than 30 years, said: "For the competition I tried to make the mix a little more spicy.

"I can't reveal everything that went in, but there was nutmeg and other ground spices."

Barry Mills, of Mills Bakery on Pilling Lane, said: "I was given the recipe by an old baker when I was a young lad. It's good to take pride in having a cake named after the town and they seem to be popular with everyone who tastes them."

Also entered in the competition was an entry from London-born Sue Ross, from Devonport Way, who said: "This is the first time I've baked Chorley cakes, but I thought I'd have a go. I didn't follow a set recipe, but I talked to a few people and got advice of them on the ingredients."

After much deliberation the trophy was awarded to the Glover's bakery team of Stephanie Glover and Tony Bain, who said: "We're delighted to win the competition.

"The cakes are a good seller on our stall on Chorley Market and we've used the same recipe for the 22 years we've been producing them."