A family-run Midhurst pie business – which supplies shops in Fernhurst and Milford – has triumphed at the British Pie Awards.

Mud Foods beat tough competition to get reserve winners for its steak and ale pie and its Black Forest gateau pie.

Mud also received many gold, silver and bronze medals for its other pies – including its steak and Tunworth cheese pie in collaboration with the Hampshire Cheese Company.

The British Pie Awards – which has been going for 16 years – attracts pie producers large and small from across the country. This year almost 900 pies were entered into 24 classes – sweet and savoury.

A team of 140 judges was required to decide the winners of this year’s awards.

Meat-based entries dominated the top four classes, with the most entrants in the beef and alcohol category – in which Mud was a reserve winner.

The British Pie Awards success comes after Christian Barrington, chief pie maker and founder at Mud Foods, appeared on the Channel 4 series Aldi’s Next Big Thing.

Christian won Mud Foods a supermarket contract with Aldi on the series for its chip shop chicken curry pie.

Christian said: “I'm delighted and very proud. Huge thanks to my incredible Mud team, whose unwavering dedication and tireless efforts consistently keep our standards at the highest level, ensuring top-notch quality pies which spread happiness to our amazing, supportive customers."

Mud sources its ingredients from local producers where possible and makes its pastry with butter, not margarine.