A COLLEAGUE wanted to know if I fancied popping out for a spot of lunch, how could I refuse?

There's nothing like a pleasant meal and a chat in the middle of the day to set you up perfectly for an afternoon of work.

We opted for the ever-popular town centre Italian restaurant, Tiggis, and were delighted to learn the management had decided to introduce a well-stocked special lunchtime menu of three courses for £6.95. At the end of November this will be replaced by a special christmas menu costing £14. Judging by the number of diners on the lunchtime we went along, other folk agree the menu is great value for money.

Although the restaurant was reasonably quiet when we arrived, by the time we'd ordered the place was practically full.

It's perhaps worth mentioning here that if you do choose to dine at Tiggis in your work lunch-hour you will be served well within the hour, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the meal.

You can, of course, pick from the main Tiggis menu if you can't find anything you fancy on the special menu, although I doubt that very much.

The starters are a mixed bunch. They include a small pasta and cannellini bean soup, deep fried mushrooms, smoked trout and smoked chicken salad.

I decided to try the prawn, apple and celery cocktail and my friend opted for the chilled melon.

As we waited for the starters a selection of raw vegetables and a bowl of delicious dip was placed on the table.

We were then presented with the garlic bread we had decided on, we chose the plain version, which we promptly tucked in to, almost forgetting that we had plenty of food to get through yet.

Still, just a few minutes later, the starters arrived and they looked delicious. I have to stress that they were huge portions.

The prawns were delicious and the salad accompanying it was incredibly fresh and crisp. A great combination.

My friend's melon was, again, a large portion and declared very tasty.

I had ordered chicken in a pepper, onion and mushroom sauce, which came complete with new potatoes, broccoli and carrots.

Again it was an enormous portion and very good indeed, with perfectly cooked vegetables.

My friend, who is a self-confessed salad addict and doesn't eat meat, opted for the salad nicoise.

If we thought this was likely to be a small portion we were wrong. It was incredibly generous and came complete with enormous chunks of tuna and potato.

The main course choice was extensive. Pizza lovers can pick from several versions, including a delicious-sounding Pizza Tiggis which is topped with ham, hot sausage, mushrooms, artichoke, mozzarella cheese and tomato.

If you prefer pasta then there is a good choice including lasagna, which I've had at Tiggis before and can recommend and short macaroni with mushrooms, hot sausage and chillies in a tomato sauce. Traditional meat lovers have not been overlooked as there is a roast leg of lamb and if you enjoy fish then there's a baked cod in a light tomato sauce with courgettes.

There is also an omelette, served with chips and salad, basically there is something for everyone.

Starters on the main menu cost between £2.95 for soup and £5.95 for tiger prawns. Main courses and there are many, cost from £5.50 to £14.50.

I guess many people would find it difficult to eat so much at lunchtime, but we did our best and even found room for a sweet.

We had a portion of ice cream and a slice of cheesecake. They were mouth-wateringly good. We also ordered an espresso and a cappuccino and they were an additional 80p each.

It was a superb meal and up to Tiggis' usual high standard of cuisine, service and atmosphere. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and everyone we spoke to was courteous and helpful.

Our bill, including two soft drinks came to £27.

Tiggis, Bradshawgate, Bolton

Open for lunch and dinner

Tel: 01204 363636.

Star rating: ****