THREE South Lakeland butchers have triumphed in a competition aimed at showcasing the region’s finest pies, black puddings and speciality sausages.

Mark Duckworth, of Dales Butchers, Kirkby Lonsdale, John Nicholl, of Huddleston’s Butchers, Windermere, and Stuart Smith, of Stuart Smith and Sons, Milnthorpe, shone in the BPEX North West Regional Roadshow for Meat Product Excellence 2011-12.

It was a particularly triumphant night for Mr Duckworth, who achieved an amazing five championships at the event at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

He took home top prize in the lamb and beef sausage category with his beef and marmite recipe while also coming out top in the traditional pork sausage category.

In addition, he was declared champion in the speciality hot pie, black pudding and traditional pork pie categories.

“We are very pleased at being awarded championships for five of our products,” said Mr Duckworth. “We have retained the black pudding and traditional pork pie champion awards, which we won last time, and we are exceptionally pleased at getting the traditional pork sausage award as this qualifies us to enter the Champion of Champion Awards next year.”

Mr Duckworth’s trainee Ira Collier also tasted success in the Young Sausage Maker category. Judges awarded 98 per cent to gain him a gold award for his pork and leek sausage. Ira said: “Having only been working at Dales for two months I’m really pleased with my achievement. I didn’t expect to get an award on my first attempt.”

Meanwhile, Mr Nicholl won gold for his traditional Cumberland sausage, pork sausage, dry-cured back bacon as well as his traditional pork pie and ham, chicken and leek pie.

And Mr Smith achieved gold awards for three of his pork pie recipes.