Derby etc are also county towns.

Agree with night eyes. I guess a red herring for the sauce round was supposed to be Worcester, but it is Worcestershire. Having said all that it's a fun grid.

I'm afraid, Nighteyes, that the county town of Derbyshire is Matlock.

@Don, No, the administrative centre may have moved there, but the definition of County Town is not legally set down, just traditionally meaning the most important town(or city) in the county, and historically usually the one that gives it its name.

Nice grid - thanks for posting - don't get bogged down by the nit-pickers - it's just meant to be a bit of fun !!

Good one. Thought there must be something other than shires to connect but hey ho...

Thanks @sparky I am happy you enjoyed it and that someone else realises things cant always be perfect but still fun.

The shires are all cities in the Midlands

One group has an alternative answer- the shires are all also UK cities