The Westmorland Gazette Welcome has just launched 'First for Food', a special promotion in which we are inviting you, our readers, to vote for the best eatery of 2002.

This is an opportunity to celebrate some of the region's finest cuisine and, if it wins our competition, a chance for one lucky reader to enjoy a meal for two at the restaurant of their choice.

The Westmorland Gazette' s circulation area - which covers south Cumbria, North Lancashire and North Yorkshire - takes in some of the finest eateries in the country.

Many of them have already won awards.

But the vote that counts is that of the public, which is why we are pleased to launch this special competition for our readers.

To enter, all you have to do is feast your eyes on the restaurants, hotels and dining pubs featured in 'First for Food' which are listed on page 12 of this week's Leisure.

Then fill in the voting coupon with all your details and the name of the eatery you think is most deserving of our specially-engraved trophy.

Remember, you can only vote for dining establishments which appear in 'First for Food'.

The voting coupon will be published in the Leisure supplement again on May 10 and 17, as will a list of the participating eateries to remind you of the region's wonderful choice for food-lovers.

Send your entry to - FIRST FOR FOOD, c/o The Leisure Team, The Westmorland Gazette, 22 Stricklandgate, Kendal, LA9 4NE, to arrive by first post on Friday, May 24.

Photocopied entry coupons will not be accepted.

Our prize of a meal for two will go to the name on the first entry coupon drawn from those for

the winning restaurant.

The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered in to.

The eatery of the year 2002 will be announced on June 7, as will the name of the reader who has won the meal for two.