A PUB has been awarded silver for its much loved steak and ale pie in the pub pie category of the 2019 British Pie Awards.

The Fleece Inn at Bretforton took part in the awards, held in Melton Mowbray, which were announced last week. They cover the entire United Kingdom and since 2009 have been celebrating British pies in all their varieties.

For the purposes of the awards a pie is defined as the following: ‘A pie is deemed to be a filling wholly encased in pastry and baked’ and the pub pie category specified that entries were: ‘a pie commercially sold in pubs- to be eaten and judged hot.’

The Fleece Inn landlord Nigel Smith says: “The pie is one of the icons of British cuisine and millions of them are eaten hot or cold by Brits every year. In our class, entry was open to pubs and/or their suppliers whose entering pie is commercially sold at their pubs. The pie entries may be any shape and can weigh up to 600g. We entered our Steak and Ale pie because everyone who tastes it absolutely loves it and we think it’s winner – now it is official!”

British Pie Week aims to celebrate the heritage of the British Pie, protect and promote regional specialities, to recognise the craft of bakers, butchers and other producers and to support British produce.

Entertainment at the Fleece Inn included morris dancers, folk sessions, vintage car gatherings and CAMRA meetings. The pub also holds live music on the 'fizzy Friday, folk sessions.'

For more information on the Fleece Inn, a National Trust pub visit thefleeceinn.co.uk.