CRAVEN butchers Drake and Macefield have picked up an award at an annual national celebration of British pies.

The Skipton-based butchers, scooped a bronze for its venison, mushroom and red wine pie in the game pie category of the British Pie Awards, held in Melton Mowbray, the 'rural capital of food', and hosted by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association.

Drake and Macefield, was among 900 entrants from across the UK including independent bakers, butchers, pubs, sports clubs, fish and chip shops and specialist pie manufacturers at the awards, held in March's British Pie Week.

The contest, which has been going for 16 years, featured 24 different classes judged by a team of 140 judges. Dr Matthew O’Callaghan, chairman of the British Pie Awards, noted that meat-based pie entries dominated the top four classes with beef and alcohol topping the entry rankings.

Steve Teal, director at Drake and Macefield said: “We’re really chuffed to have been recognised in these national awards for one of our lesser-known pies.”

Pie lovers can find the award winning venison, mushroom and red wine pie at Drake and Macefield shops in Skipton, Settle and Cross Hills.