READER Freda Wells of Great Harwood has submitted her recipe for rich mince pies -- giving plenty of time to prepare some for Christmas.

Mrs Wells says the recipe has been in her family for more than 70 years -- it was passed from her grandmother to her mother and on to her, so the pies should have a delicious traditional taste.

8oz plain flour

8oz butter or margarine

1 egg yolk

1 tsp water

1 dessertspoon lemon juice

1 jar sweet mincemeat

Caster sugar

RUB fat into flour. Mix yolk, water and lemon juice and add to pastry -- if it's sticky, add a little more flour.

Roll out the pastry, cut out bases and lids with a pastry cutter. Line the tins with a pastry base, add a teaspoon of mincemeat and cover with a pastry lid. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 180C. Sprinkle with caster sugar after removing from oven and leave in tins to cool for five minutes. Serve warm.

Have you a favourite family recipe you would like to share with us?

Contact Pauline Hawkins on 01254 678678, e-mail: phawkins@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk or write to Food News, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, High Street, Blackburn BB1 1BT