Good eggs take some beating

A POPULAR butcher’s shop has been crowned scotch-egg champion in a contest comparing products from 40 rivals.

The Albion Farm Shop in Oldham Road, Delph, came out on top at a North-West roadshow organised by BPEX, which represents pig-levy payers.

Tensions ran high at the event at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium as some of the region’s best butchers entered 225 specialist products for testing by some of the industry’s most respected judges.

Owners David and Annette Hirst entered the winning scotch egg — made by the farm cafe’s head chef, Melanie Lord.

David said: “Melanie is delighted and so are we — particularly as it is our first champion title.”

The enterprising couple also won gold awards for free range dry-cured back bacon and lamb, lime and coriander sausage.