An East Lancashire bakery’s much-loved Northern delicacy scooped a top award, known as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world.

Clayton Park Bakery’s Butter pies were labelled ‘outstanding’ in the blind taste tests at the Great Taste Awards.

Butter Pies originally grew in popularity amongst the Catholic community of Preston in the 19th century.

Now Clayton Park are continuing the tradition and their prized bakes went down a treat with the Great Taste Award judges.

During the 49-day long process, 400 judges considered more than 10,000 entries and accredited less than a third.

Clayton Park’s Managing Director, Barry Thomas, said: “It’s the first time we’ve put a product up for the award and to be honoured means the world. I’m proud to know we’re being recognised for such an amazing product.

“There’s a local history around the butter pie. Catholics did not eat meat on Fridays so they would use butter in their pies instead. Now it’s become an everyday thing. A lot of people think “Butter Pie? What’s that?” …until they’ve tried it and realise just how good a product it is.”

Butter Pies are growing in popularity across Lancashire but Preston is where they are most popular.

In 2008, Clayton Park Bakery’s Butter Pies came to the rescue when Preston North End FC’s previous supplier withdrew Butter Pies from their matchday menu. The lack of Butter Pies at Deepdale caused such a stir that fans created a football chant dedicated to the local favourite.

So what’s the secret to Clayton Park’s award-winning Butter Pies?

“Quality short crust pastry, thick slices of potato, freshly diced onion and a rich butter sauce” says Barry.

Clayton Park Bakery’s Butter Pies can be found in Spar branches across the North West, sporting an exclusive Great Taste logo.

5 Butter Pie Facts

1) Butter Pies were popular in the Roman Catholic community of Preston as they were perfect to eat when abstaining from meat on Fridays.

2) For this reason, Butter Pies are also known as Catholic Pies or Friday Pies

3) Butter Pies are mentioned in Paul McCartney’s chart-topping song “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” which contains the lyric, “I had another look and I had a cup of tea and a butter pie”.

4) Butter Pies were the vegetarian option at the World Pie Eating Championship in Wigan.

5) Clayton Park Bakery answered Preston North End fan’s calls for Butter Pies after a Facebook campaign and news of the huge demand.