BUTCHER turned baker Mark Duckworth has only been making pies for six months - but he's already a prize winner.

His delicacies won excellence awards at a regional show.

Mark, 28, of Noble Street, Rishton, had the surprise success at a trade competition in York, jointly hosted by British Meat and the Meat and Livestock Commission.

His savoury pie, steak and kidney pie and chicken, ham and mushroom pies each won gold excellence awards.

Mark, who has never entered competitions before, only decided to take part after praise from satisfied customers filtered back to his workplace, Hammerton Hall Farm Shop, in Wigglesworth, North Yorkshire.

Mark has been a butcher since he left school aged 16 but only started baking six months ago.

He said: "The person who used to bake at the farm shop stopped doing it, and we had promised some big pie orders to some of our customers.

"That's when I stepped in, and I found I really enjoyed baking.

"I only entered the competition after some of the pubs we supply said the quality of the pies was very good."

Mark said he expected the fair to be a small event and was surprised to find it was a big trades fair and show.

He said: "I'm going to enter more competitions now, and I'm already thinking of ways to improve the pies."

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