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A vegan pie has been hailed as the best pie in the country at the British Pie Awards – and it was made by a butcher.

Somerset-based farm shop Jon Thorners Ltd scooped the Supreme Champion prize at the annual awards for their animal product-free pie, which is filled with curried sweet potato and butternut squash.

Nearly 900 pies were entered for judging this year at the British Pie Week competition in Melton Mowbray, submitted from more than 170 producers. The Vegan Pie Class was the second most popular category, with 68 pies up for consideration.

“There are a number of challenges to making a good vegan pie and this has cracked it,” said head judge Colin Woodgear, "The pastry was exceptional with a crispness that complimented the filling.”

“From its very appearance on the judging tray you knew it was going to do well and it didn’t disappoint when it was opened and tasted,” added awards chairman Matthew O’Callaghan.

“This pie isn’t just for vegans, it’s a pie for everybody. With this award we can truly say that veganism is now entering the mainstream of British food.”

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Vegan Society in Leicester, located just 20 miles down the road from the town of Melton Mowbray, famed for being the hallowed home of the pork pie.

The overall winner wasn’t the only unusual pie to receive an accolade at the awards: the Specialist Class was won by a “fish and chip shop pie” entered by The Cods Scallops, called the Steak and “Scale” Ale Pie.