THE Cornish pasty has competition from Cumbria.

The Nent Miners' Pasty has just been unveiled at Nent Valley - The Secret Adventure', where visitors can take a fascinating trip down a real lead mine.

Nent's answer to a McDonald's happy meal', the pasty has a filling of mince, vegetables and potatoes at one end and stewed apples at the other. It is based on one that used to be eaten by lead miners at Nenthead and has been recreated by the Moody Baker, a local workers' co-operative.

Claire Blake, marketing manager for Nent Valley - The Secret Adventure' said: "The idea behind the pasty is similar to the origins of the Cornish pasty which was created for tin miners. The lead miners at Nenthead would have had a convenient and portable, yet filling, meal to sustain them when working down the mine."

Claire told Food & Drink that visitors will be encouraged to try the brand new pasty, also available in a Miners Bait Box' for those wishing to picnic on the site, a cluster of attractions situated between Hexham and Alston in the dramatic North Pennines area. As well as going down the mine, visitors can operate the wheels on the Power of Water interactive attraction, and gaze at the virtual stone dropping down the deep Brewery Shaft.

April 10, 2003 11:00