A GENERATIONAL family-business has won several prestigious awards.

Thornton’s Bakehouse & Butchers, in Easingwold, won three awards for their homemade pies at the British Pie Awards, held in Melton Mowbray.

Thornton’s entered their traditional pork pie, chunky diced steak and lamb and minted vegetables, winning gold, silver and bronze.

The competition saw more than 848 entries, from 160 professional bakeries across the UK.

“It really means something to have won three awards for the three pies we entered, particularly when the competition was so fierce,” said John Thornton, the owner of Thornton’s Bakehouse & Butchers.

“Every year, we are told by customers that our pies are the best, so I thought we should enter and see how they stand against industry leaders.

“Although the competition started off slightly bumpy, since our pies were delivered to the wrong location, we managed to locate and judge them before the closing window – it was a bit touch and go.

“We are so pleased with the awards; we were up against some huge names and I didn’t think we would win anything.”

Thornton’s supply pies and locally-sourced meat to many pubs, cafes and restaurants in Ryedale, alongside attending the monthly Coxwold Village Market and Sheriff Hutton Village Market.

“We had a whirlwind few years since I took over the business from my dad, Geoff Thornton,” added John.

“Bring on 2021 – hopefully we can enter a few more pies and uphold our 100 per cent success rate.”