WIRRAL’S new mayor last night defended choosing a caterer from outside the borough for the council’s most important civic event of the year.

The authority paid the company, set up in Manchester, more than £3,500 to cater for the prestigious event – despite the council being at the forefront of the campaign to make Wirral a renowned destination for its food offer.

The council has supported both the award-winning Wirral Farmers Market, in New Ferry, and the Wirral Food Festival, which has become a massive success over the last three years.

New Mayor, Conservative Cllr Andrew Hodson, said he was “very aware of the budget and the need to get value for money” in choosing the caterer, which was formed in West Didsbury.

And he insisted that he specified that the caterers, Barkers Bespoke, “use local labour wherever possible”.

More than 400 guests were provided with food and drinks following the Mayor-making ceremony in which Heswall councillor Andrew Hodson was installed as the new civic leader for 2009-10.

Last night, Cllr Steve Niblock, who has been a key supporter of the Wirral Farmers Market, criticised the decision not to use a local company for such an important event.

He said: “It’s disappointing that a Manchester firm was used and while I understand the need for ensuring value for money, there are excellent local food producers and restaurants on Wirral, and there are caterers locally capable of providing a buffet for 400 people and still providing value for money.

“Not only does Wirral have a Michelin-starred restaurant (Fraiche, in Oxton), but the best Farmers’ Market in the country – winner of BBC Radio Four Food and Farming Awards, along with probably the best food festival in the area, and Wirral Council has been actively promoting food as a tourism offer.

“It’s particularly disappointing given the credit crunch and the need to protect local jobs that a Manchester firm was chosen for this important and prestigious event.”

But a council spokesperson defended the decision-making process.