FOREST cooks have been set a challenge to come up with a great-tasting, healthy burger using...squirrel meat.

Finalists will be invited to cook their burger in the cookery theatre at this year's Forest Showcase, the annual celebration of local food and drink held at the Speech House, near Coleford.

A spokeswoman for the Showcase said: "The Extraordinary Squirrel Burger Challenge' is a cookery competition to find a healthy burger with a taste of the Forest.

"Each burger will be made from squirrel meat – all ingredients will be supplied by the festival and it is up to those taking part to add their own flavours, herbs and spices and secret ingredients.

"There will be some squirrel burgers available at the end of the competition for the public to try for those curious to find out what squirrel meat tastes like."

Cooks can download a copy of the entry form from http://www.forestshowcase.org">www.forestshowcase.org and return it listing the name of their creations and the ingredients required.

The 15 cooks whose burgers organisers decide are most likely to tickle the tastebuds will be invited to the show to cook live for judges Lawrence Jeffries from Gloucestershire College and Yvette Farrell from Harts Barn Cookery School in Longhope.

The entry fee is £5 and proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis charity. Prizes for entrants include vouchers for Harts Barn, a meal for two at the Beechwood Restaurant at Gloucestershire College's Five Acres campus and Showcase aprons.

The Forest Showcase takes place on Sunday, October 5 and includes more than 100 food producers, themed demonstrations, children's activities  and special promotions.