The pasty will be on sale to visitors to Nent Valley

The pasty was unveiled at attraction Nent Valley - the Secret Adventure, near Alston in Cumbria, by chairman of the county's tourist board Eric Robson.

The pasty has a filling of mince, vegetables, and potatoes at one end and stewed apples at the other.

It is based on one that used to be eaten by lead miners at Nenthead and has been recreated by the Moody Baker, a local workers' co-operative.

Mr Robson, a writer and presenter of programmes including BBC Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time, said: "It is delicious.

"People might be surprised by the idea of a pasty that is both savoury and sweet but the Nent miners' pasty is really very tasty. It certainly beats the Cornish pasty hands down.'

Bait box

Claire Blake, marketing manager for Nent Valley - the Secret Adventure, said: "The lead miners at Nenthead would have had a convenient and portable, yet filling, meal to sustain them when working down the mine."

Visitors to Nent Valley, a cluster of attractions situated between Hexham and Alston, will be encouraged to try the brand new pasty for themselves.

It will be available in a Miners Bait Box for those wishing to picnic at the site.