Buy local and eat local, says the cooking cowboy

Gary McClure, known for his appearances at the festivals and for the pop-up kitchens he held on the harbour to feed the fishermen, says it is time to return to the 1960s and the "I'm Backing Britain" campaign.

While that is a fantastic concept, he said it needs to be narrowed down.

"We need to be promoting Cumbrian produce and local businesses," he said.

"I was part of the Made in Cumbria and we need to get back to that, using local produce from local shops."

But with the rising cost of living is it not cheaper to buy from large chains and supermarkets?

Gary says no.

"You go into a supermarket and you buy ready-packaged meat or vegetables in a bag. They could well be more than you need and they eventually get thrown out because you have not been able to use them before their use by date.

"In your local butcher or greengrocer you can get the exact amount you need.

"If you are only getting what you need and there is no waste, that saves money."

He says he was brought up in the old days of the Commonwealth, before the European Union.

Eat local and buy local is the message from Gary McClure, the cooking cowboy (Image: Newsquest)

"We used to export lamb to New Zealand in our season and they used to export to us in theirs. That was fair. Now we buy apples from Zimbabwe! Why when there are apples grown in their country?"

Gary, who is 67, said  he is also concerned about the number of large solar farms that are taking up agricultural space: "Why not put them on stilts. Then we could grow food in polytunnels underneath or use the land for grazing."

His style of dress gives Gary the title of the cooking cowboy.

He is also a food ambassador for the county, not just promoting food but especially local produce such as Cumberland sausages.

He is well known and popular in Whitehaven but has also worked at Muncaster Castle and at food festivals around the country.