THE culinary exploits of a Barrow chef have led him to the final of a BBC cooking competition.

Tom Barnes is due to compete against the country's best chefs tonight in the finale of Great British Menu.

He will cook the main course at the competition's final banquet after his ‘Beatrix Potter's Herdwick lamb' tickled the tastebuds of the show's judges.

Paying tribute to the Lake District children's author, his dish comprised lamb mousse, crumpets topped with fennel pollen, lamb sauce and consommé and vegetable hot pot.

Judges praised the 'sheer beauty' of the cooking, the choice of ingredients and also the connection to the world of Beatrix Potter'.

After the show was broadcast, the chef said on Twitter: "Thank you so much for all the messages of support for tonight's show.

"It means so much that people would take the time to message and I’m so proud that a Barrow lad will be cooking at the banquet."

Mr Barnes, attended Sacred Heart Primary School in Barrow and is the executive chef at the two Michelin-starred L'Enclume in Cartmel and also over sees Simon Rogan's Rogan and Co. restaurant

The theme of this year's competition is children's literature, to mark 150 years since the death of Charles Dickens, with judges Matthew Fort, Oliver Peyton and Andi Oliver joined by guest judge, Alex Rider author Anthony Horowitz.

Barrow and south Cumbria will be hoping the chef is crowned the winner when the final is broadcast tonight on BBC 2 at 8pm.