AN EARBY woman who was "born to feed people" won a pair of competitions held in conjunction with Barnoldswick's St George's Day celebrations.

The town's St George's Day events on Saturday were a food lover's paradise as Barnoldswick also played host to the second-ever World Meat Pie Championships and an annual food festival.

"It was a hugely successful day and there were lots of happy people," said Councillor David Whipp, chairman of Barnoldswick Town Council.

While there was an assortment of activities going on in the Town Square, Barnoldswick Civic Hall hosted the World Meat Pie Championships and the Rainhall Centre had a variety of food-related events, including a cake-off competition, which raised £150 for Cravenside Home for Older People.

Earby's Jessica Caroline won the cake-off with a chocolate orange fudge entry, a recipe she came up with during the Christmas holiday.

Cake-off organiser Jennifer Purcell, who particularly enjoyed Jessica's strawberry cream cake in the shape of a St George's flag, said: "Her cakes are to die for – she's a very talented young lady."

Jessica's cooking talents were also recognised in the World Meat Pie Championships, as her potato cheese and chilli pie, cheese and onion pie and mushroom, Stilton and caramelised red onion pie finished first, second and third place, respectively, in the vegetarian section.

"Her pastry is also really, really good," added Mrs Purcell. "Her cakes and pies take some beating."

"I'm still absolutely speechless," said Jessica, who cooks meals and cakes for Earby Luncheon Club and cooking/cleaning service Just Ask Jess. "I love cooking. I was born to feed people."

The overall winner of the World Meat Pie Championships was Miles Hutchinson, who runs Hutchinson's Pie Shop in Barnoldswick.

Organiser James Wilson said his pork pie scored 93 out of 100 to take home the top prize.

"Meat got its own back after a vegetarian pie won the World Meat Pie Championships last year," said Mr Wilson, who pointed out there were 55 pie entries, including 24 in the junior section from West Craven High School.

"The overall quality of their pies was absolutely amazing," added Mr Wilson.

The festivities were jointly organised by the town council, Town Centre Action Group and Rainhall Centre and Cllr Whipp said: "We were very grateful for all the organisation and help that different people brought to the party on the day."