JAMES Martin has praised the quality of local seafood available in the Isle of Man.

He revealed that he regularly uses Manx seafood from local fishmonger Paddy's Hooked on Fish in his restaurant and in his other projects in the UK.

Speaking to isleofman.com James said: "The seafood is what appeals to me. Obviously you've got all the way up the Irish Sea from here to the coast of Scotland and that area is particularly very good for shellfish."

James also said that he was impressed with the Manx kippers, lamb and beef.

He said: "If you buy really good stuff, particularly like the stuff that's made here, it isn't full of all the rubbish you get elsewhere."

The celebrity chef, who presents the cookery programme Saturday Kitchen on the BBC, is headlining the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival today (Sunday).

The Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival is being held in the Nunnery gardens in Douglas today.

Also see: James Martin praises food festival for providing something "new and different"