PIES made at the idyllically located George Inn - once the watering hole of Yorkshire's famous literary son JB Priestley - are among the tastiest in the country.

The pub in Hubberholme has snatched two prizes in the Great British Pie Awards - a silver in the speciality pie category and a bronze for the beef and ale section.

And the success is all down to the culinary imagination of the chef Kate Hart who has been at the helm in the kitchen for about 12 months.

Her cooking is inspired by her time spent in Spain and by the availability of top class local and seasonal produce.

Owners of the free house, Jackie and Ed Yarrow, can't praise Kate, a Yorkshire lass, enough.

"This is a tremendous achievement considering it is our first time in the competition," said Ed.

"We hoped we would do well but this is wonderful and all down to our talented chef, Kate."

Her passion for food resulted in amazing dishes, delicate flavours and textures and beautiful plating. "Don't just take our word for it - our customers seem to be blown away by her creativity," he added.

Kate, who was classically trained at the renowned Hoffman School in Barcelona and also in Mexico, said: "Our customers have been telling us for some time that they love our pies.

"I believe it's because we are passionate about using the best locally sourced ingredients. These first official accolades just inspire us to achieve more - and not only with pies.”

Ed said The George would be celebrating the awards by having two pie nights next Wednesday and Thursday and in July. And Kate will be demonstrating dishes at The Yorkshire Food Festival at Skipton Auction Mart at the end of July.

Ed and Jackie have been in charge at the George, which has seven letting bedrooms, since June 1, 2013

The inn is widely known locally as The Candle Inn as a consequence of there always being a candle lit when it is open. It also hosts the famous land-letting ceremony in January where the tenancy of a 16-acre parcel of land in Langstrothdale, named the Poor Pasture, goes to whoever holds the highest bid when a candle, lit at the start of the auction, burns out.

Latterly the pub has also become renowned as the home of its charismatic two-year-old Jack Russell - appropriately called George.