Father Christmas and his little helpers choose their favourite treats

CHRISTMAS wouldn't be Christmas without mince pies. But there are so many different types for sale in every shop, supermarket and bakery just how do you choose the best ones to keep your family happy over the festive period?

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph hunted out probably the most well-educated man in the world when it comes to sampling mince pies - Father Christmas.

Santa eats tons of the festive treats along with the odd tipple as he makes his way around delivering presents.

He sat down, along with two of his Accrington-based little helpers and Lancashire Evening Telegraph Food News editor Amanda Killelea, to put some pies to the test.

Gregg's mince pies were voted the best of the bunch, followed by Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's pies, fighting it out for second place.

And here's his verdict

Marks and Spencer Traditional deep filled mince pies (£1.29 for six)

Santa said: "The pastry is soft and mouth-wateringly light and it really melts in the mouth. The filling is a bit too sweet and there isn't enough of it. These pies could definitely do with some booze - essential to get into Father Christmas's good books." Santa's marks: 7/10

Sainsbury's Deep mince pies (99p for six)

Santa said: "Very nice mincemeat - Santa's helpers loved this filling. Shame about the pastry, which lacks flavour and doesn't melt in the mouth."

Santa's marks: 7/10

Morrisons Deep mince pies (79p for six)

Santa said: "I'd be disappointed if these pies were left out for me on Christmas Eve. There isn't enough filling and the pastry is burned. Nice holly shapes on top of the pies though."

Santa's marks: 4/10

Oddies Mince pies (30p each)

Santa said: "These look like the proper mince pies Mother Christmas makes. They look homemade and the filling actually taste like it has got some brandy in there. It is a shame that the pastry tastes of margarine to let the pie down."

Santa's marks: 6/10

Gregg's Brandy mince pies (£1.20 for four)

Santa said: " Yo! ho! ho! These pies look the part, homemade with icing sugar on top and there is so much filling you can even see it about to burst through the pastry. The filling is really tasty and you can taste the booze - a must if mince pies are going to impress Santa. Definitely the best."

Santa's marks: 9/10

Asda Luxury Mince Pies (£1.29 for six)

Santa said: "Nice crunchy pastry, but a little too much sugar on top. There isn't enough filling and again it is too sweet. These don't really taste like mince pies and look better than they taste."

Santa's marks: 5/10

Hampson's Mince pies (£1.25 for six)

Santa said: "On the box it says 'award winning recipe' - who gave the award? I wouldn't hang around long in a house where these had been left waiting for me at the bottom of the chimney. Still, you give them a try - you might disagree with me."

Santa's marks: 3/10

Tesco Deep filled mince pies (89p for six)

Santa said: "A non-event. The pastry is floury and the filling is poor. These pies would be left near the bottom of my Christmas stocking."

Santa's marks: 5/10

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