THIS year's Family Business of the Year title was awarded to a York butchers launched more than 30 years ago by “the Pie Man of York” which is now being operated by the second generation of its founder’s family, with the third generation already getting stuck in to the venture.

Ged Bell Family Butchers and Pie Makers was established in Dringhouses in 1980 by Ged Bell, who had a vision to build a small family business that would set him, and his young family on a steady path for the future.

The whole family worked in the shop; Lynn, Ged’s wife and his two children Nicola and Lee.

As a 17-year-old, Lee was keen to work in different industries before committing to working alongside his father in the butchers.

Ged was pioneering in the shop, winning several awards for his famous pies, earning him the nickname “the Pie Man of York”.

Lee worked alongside his dad and learned the skills of the trade and in 2004 he became Young Butcher of the Year and was presented with this national award in London at the Guild of Master Butchers.

Sadly, Ged died in 2006. For the past nine years Lee, now with a young family of his own, has continued to develop the butchers shop, and since his mum was diagnosed with Coeliac disease a few years ago has worked on a gluten-free range.

Judges described Ged Bell as not only a successful business in a very tough industry but one that has also done so much for the community with family at its core.

The judges commended Elcocks for its stamina in tough times, and believe there is a vast amount others could learn from Yorkshire Heart in their professionalism. But they said it was Ged Bell that stands out in the way they have met the criteria of moving the business forward, excelling in examples of good practices, and certainly inspiring others.