THE best black puddings in Britain come from Lancashire... and Andrew Holt proved it across the border in Yorkshire.

His black puddings, with a secret combination of herbs and spices, have officially been judged as the best in Britain in a competition at the three-day national Food and Meat Exhibition at Harrogate.

Delighted Andrew, 35, bought RS Ireland Black Puddings, Waterfoot, three years ago after spending all his working life in the meat and food industry.

He said: "Last year I was happy to win third prize after winning best newcomer in the competition. But to win first prize this year is just brilliant.''

Andrew runs the business with the help of his wife, Diane, and two staff, producing an average of two tons of black puddings a week.

They are sold all over Lancashire and, through an Internet customer, to expatriates all over the world from Canada to New Zealand.

Andrew said: "I insist on fresh blood, best fresh fat, which these days is hard to get, rusk, barley and the secret ingredients of eight herbs and three spices."

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