Freedom of the Borough

The presentation of the Freedom of Ribble Valley to the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is to be commemorated with a special sausage.

The sausage has been devised by Cowman's Famous Sausage Shop, Clitheroe, to commemorate the landmark event on Thursday, March 10.

The event will be marked by the presentation of a scroll to Brigadier Mike Griffiths CBE by Ribble Valley Mayor Lois Rimmer in Market Place, Clitheroe, following a march through the town centre by 130 soldiers from the regiment's 1st Battalion supported by the Band of the King's Division.

And after the parade soldiers from the regiment will be able to tuck into the sausages at a civic reception.

Cowman's proprietor Cliff Cowburn and his award-winning team have named the sausage, The Duke of Lancaster's. It is a traditional Lancashire pork sausage, with the addition of secret herbs and spices reflecting the regiment's history and tours of duty.

Cliff Cowburn said: "The Duke of Lancaster's combines the traditional Lancashire pork sausage with selected herbs and spices from across the world reflecting the regiment's local and international history and heritage.

"It is a tasty sausage, with a bit of a kick, and I hope the regiment will be delighted with it.

"The presentation of the Freedom of the Borough to the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is a proud day for Ribble Valley and Cowman's is delighted to be involved in such a historic event."

Ribble Valley Mayor Lois Rimmer added: "Cowman's is a premier local shop, with a proud history of its own, and we are delighted that it is helping us celebrate this unique event."

Jeff Ashton, Lancashire area secretary for the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: "This is an excellent, mouth-watering honour, which only adds to that being bestowed on the regiment by Ribble Valley Borough Council.

"Soldiers from the 1st Battalion are very much looking forward to the parade through Clitheroe and tucking in to the sausage afterwards!"

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, will march through Clitheroe town centre to Market Place on the morning of Thursday, March 10, where they will be presented with a commemorative illuminated scroll signed by civic leaders and a specially-commissioned drum major's sash featuring an embroidered Ribble Valley borough crest and regimental badge. The precise route and times of the parade are yet to be decided.

Cowman's Famous Sausage Shop has been situated in Castle Street, Clitheroe, for over 100 years and produces award-winning sausages using only the finest local and free-range ingredients. It has received numerous awards, including a gold medal at the 2010 BPEX: British Pig Executive National Show.