A CHEF who starred on a TV cooking competition hopes his exploits on the national stage will draw others to sample the culinary delights in his town.

Ulverston's Craig Sherrington, the head chef at Craig's Kitchen at Virginia House, came close to triumphing alongside the UK's greatest chefs when he appeared on Great British Menu.

The gastronomic maestro impressed judges with his cooking talents in the north west regional heats but narrowly missed out on the chance to present his food at the final banquet.

Reflecting on the competition, Mr Sherrington said he was "proud" to have represented Ulverston on a national stage for the show, watched by more than two million people.

He said: "I cooked out my heart out and didn't think I would get through to the banquet but I came so close to getting there.

"I was a bit deflated but for me it was a great opportunity to stand on a big stage with some of the best chefs in the country."

The 42-year-old chef, who has been cooking for 26 years and has worked at his restaurant in Ulverston for three, said he hoped more people would be drawn to the town following his appearance on the BBC 2 show.

He said: "A few more people have been coming to my restaurant off the back of my being on TV.

"The show is going to bring more people to Ulverston who have never seen what a great little town it is.

"A lot of people thought the Lake District ended at Newby Bridge and there was nothing down the A590.

"We have rooms people can stay in. If they stay here for two nights they won't eat here both nights so it chance for them to go somewhere else.

"Hopefully it will bring people down to see all the great restaurants and cafes that are really putting Ulverston on the culinary map."

The competition saw chefs from across the country battling it out in regional heats before facing up for the chance to serve their food to diners at a banquet representing the best of Britain's food.

In the contest, Mr Sherrington and other competitors were asked to create meals inspired by heath service for the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

He used the opportunity to pay tribute to the chef at Furness General Hospital and said workers from the hospital had called him to pass on their thanks.

He said: "I got lots of messages thanking me for the sentiment.

"I was so happy it got across to the right people.

"They told me it brought them to tears.

"I was really nice to hear and brought me to tears myself."

Looking back on the competition, Mr Sherrington said: "It's definitely one of the biggest highlights of my career to stand on a national stage.

"I'm proud to have represented Ulverston and shown off my cooking alongside some great chefs."

He said was especially happy with his fish dish, which saw awarded a perfect 10 by judge Michael O'Hare.

In the end 24 chefs were whittled down four, each presenting a course for the final banquet.