OVERWHELMING praise was given to Barrow by cooking duo The Hairy Bikers who spoke about their epic road trip through the north of England.

TV cooking duo Si King and Barrovian Dave Myers have returned to our screens with an eight-part programme ‘The Hairy Bikers Go North’ exploring the UK and its culinary gems.

The pair begin their journey in Lancashire, the red rose county, and then travel through Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland, The Peak District in Derbyshire, and finally Tyne & Wear.

On episode three, which will air on October 7, The Hairy Bikers visit Cumbria – stopping off at Dave’s hometown of Barrow to sample some delectable dishes.

The dynamic duo talked to reporter Eleanor Ovens all about their ‘joyous’ trip through Cumbria which included Tuk’s Thai Food in Barrow Market and Peace and Loaf Bakehouse.

Dave said: “I first met Tuk going back 20 years, before the Hairy Bikers, when I lived on Roa Island and used to go and see Tuk to buy Thai groceries.

"Tuk's been there for years and is somewhat of a matriarch for a lot of people.

"There's some amazing food at Barrow Market and the Thai community in Barrow is really strong.

"One of my favourite places we visited in the whole series was Peace and Loaf bakery - they make the most amazing sourdough bread.

"It's some of the best bread I've ever tasted. That opened after I left Barrow and what I found wonderful is it's crowdfunded because Barrow is such a generous town.”

The pair also paid a visit to the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Windermere where they spent time with Hrishikesh Desai, executive chef at the hotel who heads up the Michelin starred, four AA rosette HRiSHi restaurant, as well as the property’s more casual outlet with two AA rosettes, Gilpin Spice.

Si said: "The Gilpin has always been a favourite of mine for years - it's superb.

"It speaks volumes for the multicultural world we live in in the UK which is to be celebrated constantly in my view

"And the Peace and Loaf makes super produce. The geography and the people define the produce, and it was great.

"It's always nice to discover new stuff as friends especially where we were brought up."

Dave added that he is proud to be a Barrovian – and will ‘always stand up for Barrow’ in the ‘strongest possible’ way.

He said: “Going around Cumbria on the motorbike was pretty joyous really.

"Day one was in Barrow for the whole series.

"By God we found some good food and met some nice people. What's special about Cumbria is we've always had a really good food base.

"I hope Barrow is seen with a great deal of affection. I've always tried to put Barrow on the map.

“I think Barrow's been so misrepresented over the years and I've always tried to do my best for the town. I'm very proud of it. I grew up a Barrovian, that's why I moved back there.

"I've moved away now because the travel was killing me! But I'll always stand up for the town in the strongest possible way."

‘The Hairy Bikers Go North’ continues today at 8pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.