A SHOP in Ramsbottom has won the title of Best Food Shop in the country.

Expert Henrietta Green's "Food Lovers' Guide to Britain for 1996-1997" names the Ramsbottom Victuallers shop in the village's Market Place as the nation's top food shop.

This important book is published in association with BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme and provides 20 categories for the best places to shop in England, Scotland and Wales.

As she explains in the book, the shop is run by a husband and wife team. "Upstairs is the bistro run by the rigorous Ros Hunter and downstairs is the food shop and cellar of well-chosen wines, the domain of Chris Johnson."

She praised the comprehensive stock of the recently-enlarged shop as being "crammed with an exceptionally thoughtful selection of craft foods".

Among this wealth, she lists: "Bread comes winging its way from Innes, flour from Shipton Mill, chocolates from Melchior, fruit vinegars and jellies from Womersley, jams from Garden of Suffolk, preserves and chutneys from Wendy Brandon, fudge from The Toffee Shop, and a rich Christmas pudding that doubles up as plum duff from Pimbletts."

And Victoria concludes her recommendation with: "Altogether, this is a good shop for every food lover."

And last week, VIPs including Victoria herself and the deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Bury were on hand to sample just why the shop is the best in the land when they attended a special open afternoon.

As for the couple at the heart of the prestigious title, Chris spoke for both when he told the BEN: "We're absolutely delighted!"

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