Chef Andrew Winder, a lecturer at Lancaster and Morecambe College, used 75lbs of lamb, 75lbs of onions and 180lbs of potatoes in the dish, which took catering staff at Weeton Barracks five and a half hours to prepare.

Measuring 12ft by 7ft in its specially-made dish, the finished hotpot weighed 440lbs. It was so big specialist burners from the Army were drafted in to cook it.

Garstang foodies decided to create the monster dish to celebrate the launch of the town's Food Festival, and former Masterchef presenter Loyd Grossman visited to oversee the preparations.

Loyd is patron of Taste 08, a celebration of Lancashire's food and drink industry, and he was impressed with the mighty dish.

He said: "It looks like the world's most delicious hotpot."

The festival starts on October 19 and will feature some of the town's best foods.

The record-breaking hotpot did not go to waste, and 800 portions were given to spectators or sold in local deli Simply Delicious. Guinness are yet to decide whether it qualifies as an official world record.

Find out how to cook up some special treats at Josie Hill's blog, The Recipe.