'Food is one reason we come every year!' We visited Ludlow to ask: is it really top spot for food?

This time the Express helped to get the word out that it's the best, and we went out on the streets of Ludlow ourselves to taste some views. The original research was published by travel bods at Which? - but our taste test of views proved the town's reputation hasn't changed.

The streets of the town of Ludlow were filled with people who flocked to the medieval town when the sun finally broke through the clouds on Wednesday. They were joined by the Shropshire Star, who interrupted their chats and enjoyment of ice cream.

Which? said in its report that Ludlow was the only town in the survey to score the full five stars for food.

20 years ago it had three Michelin-starred restaurants, which at the time was more than any other English town or city outside London. Locals well know that it has none today - but the praise keeps coming.

The Which? survey then endorsed a local view that standards overall have, if anything, improved. They said that instead of a handful of high-end eateries there’s a culture of local produce – including great butchers and bakers – as well as numerous pubs and cafés, served by people who care about food. And that's not to mention the local stalls on the market.

In the survey more than 9,000 Which? members rated their favourite inland towns and villages for food and drink. The best, with five stars, was Ludlow, home to fewer than 11,000 people.

French-born Michelle Thomson agrees that it is good but "not as deserved as it was when there was a very famous chef here".

"There is a bit more fast food now, like everywhere - and that is fine when it is done well."

Michelle, who lives just outside Shrewsbury, was in town with her brother and sister-in-law who were on holiday. She said she enjoyed a fantastic roast pork bap in town. She said it was fantastically well cooked.

When asked which country has the best cuisine, she diplomatically replied: "It is different. Any food, well cooked, with good ingredients is good.

"There is nothing wrong with good fish and chips!"

Married couple Kenny and Susan McCabe, from Kirkcaldy in Scotland, were in the first week of their annual two-week trip to Ludlow.

"Food is one reason we come here for two weeks every year," said Kenny. They first came for the town's annual food festival and were hooked.

"The other reason is beer! My favourite is Butty Bach," he said, referring to the Wye Valley-made brew imported from just across the border in Herefordshire.

They would recommend visiting the Church Inn, the Corner House and the Angel Restaurant.

"It is a really easy place, where nobody bothers you and where life is at an easy pace," said Susan. "We were here for the carnival and that was nice."

For Richard Jones and fellow members of the Cwmbran Grumble Club, a regular visit to Ludlow is more about the liquid than the solids.

After hopping off the train they make a beeline for Ludlow Brewery, a handy few steps away from the platform.

"We get to the brewery and plan it from there," said Richard.

He and his group of friends from the Terrace pub in Cwmbran have been coming back to town for about 20 years to celebrate the local ales.

"There are fewer of us now every year with people dying off and leaving us," said the proud Welshman.

"And after a few drinks in Ludlow we sometimes feel like going with them," he joked.

Geoff Ingham and couple Susan and Alan Vickers travelled down from Cheshire to spend some time in the south Shropshire town. Geoff was pleased to see that there were no Wetherspoons pubs in the town.

But apart from that the three friends said they enjoyed pub meals, and visits to the town's plethora of coffee shops.

Geoff said: "We have not had a bad meal yet."

Ludlow also received five stars for the attractiveness of its Georgian and Tudor architecture, as well as four stars for scenery and tourist attractions.

The medieval castle is host to a food festival every September which is another chance to show off excellent local produce.