BBC Radio Lancashire presenter John Gillmore was one of those taking on the challenge

A Preston city centre restaurant owner came closest to breaking a parched pea eating world record at the weekend.

Andrea Mellon, who runs Duk Pond in Cross Street, was the top scoffer in an event to help launch the Love Food, Love Preston week.

She managed 30 parched peas in 30 seconds but was still 11 short of the world record.

This is held by an American and before that Preston’s favourite son Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.

Andrea said: “We had a fabulous time on the Flag Market. We didn’t actually break the record but we had a very good try.

“Events like this are extremely important for Preston to bring people into the city centre to just let them know what is going on and to get that community involvement.”

Characters from the Preston Comic Con in the Guild Hall also tried to set the new record

More than 100 people attempted the parched pea challenge on the Flag Market during Saturday.

BID manager Mark Whittle said: “We couldn’t have wished for a better way to launch the Love Food Love Preston event.

“Although we didn’t break the world record, we got people talking about food in the city and what it has got to offer.”

Did you try to beat the record? How did you get on? Let us know in the comments below