What's in the shops this weekend with the emphasis, where possible, on locally produced seasonal and speciality food.

A Taste of Lakeland, Ambleside: Cumbrian-brewed ale Hawkshead Gold (4.4%) hoppy, fruity & bitter. Also, Hawkshead Red (4.6%) rich, malty & bitter. Both made with a blend of English hops - £2 per 500ml bottle.

Steadmans, Sedbergh: Super Six Burger, gold award-winner 2003 British Barbecue Championship 6oz pure Cumbrian beef burger - 79p each (12 for £8.99) "Superb product" said the judges. Also available cooked from Dales Kitchen outside catering Kendal Foodhall: Poachers Relish smoked salmon relish with lemon zest - a new flavoured patum peperium from the Gentlemans Relish' company - £1.95 per 40g pack.

Kendal Fisheries: Fresh red sea bream £4.63 1/.2 k

Special offer: 2lb bag frozen king prawn tails - £10.

Fresh crab claws (ready to eat, or use in soup, for example) - £4.38 per 1/2 k.

Fresh yellowfin tuna (ideal for BBQ) - £6.55 per 1/2k.

Cartmel Village Shop: Royal St Vincent fresh, dry sparkling Loire blanc de blanc - serve chilled, ideal for Easter celebrations or as an aperitif - £5.95 or special offer: 2 bottles for £10.

Hutchinsons, Coniston: Rib-eye steak - £4.95 1/2k.

Oddbins, Kendal: Chateau Lauriol - great value £3.99 claret, bramble hues, with violet notes and jammy fruit flavours.

Richardsons, Bowness: Burger offer - own-make steakburgers or Lakeland lamb & mint burgers - 55p each or 10 for £5.

Greenbanks, Kendal: Class 1 Tunisian dates - 49p per pack or 2 packs for 80p.

Plumgarths farm shop: Spring lamb chops from Low Foulshaw Farm, Levens - £5.49 per half kilo.

April 17, 2003 08:30