A WINDERMERE butcher is celebrating after taking two trophies home from a national pie awards ceremony.

AF Huddlestone's was crowned champion in the Meat and Potato Pie class and bagged the runner's up title in the Dessert Pie category at the seventh British Pie Awards.

Aptly held in Melton Mowbray, a whopping panel of 109 judges including TV chef Andy Bates and food critic Charles Campion munched their way through the 830 pies submitted by 131 professional bakers and butchers.

John Nichol, proprietor of the Crescent Road shop, said: "It was the first time we entered the competition so we are really pleased.

"I was quite surprised that the meat and potato pie and our apple pie did so well as I thought our chicken, ham and leek pie would do better.

"On a hot day our meat and potato pie is the most popular, but on a cold day it's out pork pies and quiches."

Family-run Huddlestone's has been in business since 1945 and moved into their current premises in 1977, diversifying into pies in the mid 1990s.

Matthew O’Callaghan, chairman of the British Pie Awards, said: “What a year for the awards – we’ve seen a truly varied and plentiful plethora of pies.

"The standard of entrants this year was higher than ever before, and A.F. Huddlestons can be very proud of its awards. Well done!"

He added: “Each year we hold the awards to encourage innovation in pies and I believe we have outdone ourselves this year. I’d like to give my sincere thanks to all involved, including our judges, sponsors, volunteers and of course, all our wonderful pie makers.”