There's no such thing as a free lunch, you say?

Well, this is Manchester and we famously do things differently here. So in February, one city centre restaurant is laying on 1,000 free chicken dinners for you hungry lot.

Edge Street restaurant Yard & Coop Edge will be serving up its signature buttermilk-fried chicken on a first come, first served basis, so get there early and expect a bit of a wait for your reward.

The Northern Quarter eatery is making a habit of such grub generosity and this is the fourth time it has held its Big Chook-Off - but it is the first time it has been open to everyone rather than just students.

It returns on Wednesday, February 8, from 12pm until midnight and the first 1,000 people in line will get a piece of buttermilk chicken and a portion of chips absolutely free of charge.

There's one little catch - you have to sign up online before you join the queue.

The restaurant is also running the same offer at its Liverpool restaurant, on Hanover Street, today.