A BAKERY has won an award after its butter pies were labelled “outstanding”.

Clayton Park Bakery in Clayton-le-Moors won over the judges in a blind taste test at the Great Taste Awards 2015.

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The bakery produces pies, cakes and breads and delivers them to outlets across Lancashire.

This year the company entered its traditional butter pies into the contest.

According to the company, butter pies were originally made by Roman Catholic workers in Lancashire who were not allowed to eat meat on Fridays for religious reasons.

The pies are filled with potatoes, onions and butter and were created as a vegetarian alternative.

The awards ran for 49 days, with over 400 judges and there were around 10,000 entries.

Products were rated with stars by a panel of experts who judge the quality of the food or drink. Entries that won an award were given a Great Taste logo.

Clayton Park 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 try it and realise just how good it is.”

Butter pies originally generated from workers in Lancashire across the Catholic community in the 19th century.

In 2008, Clayton Park Bakery provided Preston North End Football club with butter pies after their previous supplier withdrew the product from its matchday menu.

After a demand on a Facebook page campaign to bring them back, the pies have become increasingly popular again.

Asked about the secret to Clayton Park’s award-winning butter pies, Barry said: “Quality short crust pastry, thick slices of potato, freshly diced onion and a rich butter sauce.”

Clayton Park Bakery’s butter pies have also won a silver in the British Pie Awards and can be found at Spar branches across the North-West.