Contest to find best sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla is made from plant extracts

A competition is being held in Lancashire on Thursday to find the best sarsaparilla in the UK.

Fitzpatrick Temperance Bar, in Rawtenstall, has been making the soft drink - which is claimed to be an aphrodisiac - for more than 100 years.

It has organised the event to coincide with the firm's 115th anniversary.

The contest will see supermarket chains going head to head with small independent producers of the drink, which is made from plant extracts.

The bar is believed to be the last original temperance bar - set up as an alternative to pubs in the 19th century - in England.

Other tipples on sale include sweet, dark black beer and raisin, and dandelion and burdock.