A Ramsbottom pub got its just desserts when it was selected as serving the best pub grub in Greater Manchester.

The Eagle and Child, in Whalley Road, won the Food Pub of the Year category at this year's Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF), following in the footsteps of the nearby Hearth of the Ram which took home the gong last year.

The awards were judged by some of the region's top food critics, with the judges attending all of the shortlisted restaurants in secret to get a flavour of the food on offer.

Others shortlisted for the category included Manchester restaurants The Wharf, Albert's Chop House and Dukes 92, as well asThe Red Lion High Lane in Stockport and The Parlour in Chorlton.

Owner Glen Duckett picked up the award at a gala dinner held at Manchester Town Hall, and said he was delighted with the recognition.

He said: "We were thrilled to win the award especially with such stiff competition in our category and it was brilliant to be listed alongside some of Greater Manchester's finest dining establishments."

Prestwich restaurant Aumbry, run by Mary Ellen-McTague, was also shortlisted in the Restaurant of the Year category, but lost out to Manchester House.

The festival ran from September 18 to 28 across Manchester city centre.

Phil Jones, festival director, said: “Manchester’s dining market has seen another year of fantastic growth in both range of offer, and quality of experience, and this has been clearly reflected in the awards.

"We have seen innovative new food events taking the city by storm, alongside restaurant wars between some of the region’s hottest chefs – all have made for a fantastic year for MFDF that saw more than 90,000 visitors to our Festival Hub in Albert Square over the 11 day festival.”