GOURMETS are being invited to take part in tasty trials at a university.

The University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, is looking for well-heeled volunteers to look at marketing techniques for new shellfish products.

The university's food technology centre wants to hear from people who regularly eat in restaurants, take two or more holidays a year, and regularly buy either Marks and Spencer or Tesco's finest ranges.

Volunteers will be paid £25 for the 90-minute evening sessions.

Barry McCrea, manager of the food technology centre, said: "These sessions are another sign of how the private enterprise sector is working with the university on food-related issues."

For further information, contact (01642) 342441.