A TRADITIONAL pasty handmade in the Dunmow countryside has won gold at this year s British Pie Awards. Made by Essex Larders pie makers in Onslow Green, the renowned Dunmow Flitch Pasty was heralded as one of the best in the country by judges at the award

A TRADITIONAL pasty handmade in the Dunmow countryside has won gold at this year's British Pie Awards.

Made by Essex Larders pie makers in Onslow Green, the renowned Dunmow Flitch Pasty was heralded as one of the best in the country by judges at the awards in Melton Mowbray.

Essex Larders managing director, Jane Malins, said: "It is our most popular product and is made using bacon from Priors Hall Farm in Little Easton.

"We have always been a family company and have been making pies in our converted farm buildings since 1980. We are delighted to win the award."

She added that they use all of the local traditions and recipes when creating such products as the Dunmow Flitch Pasty, and it was that approach that helped them to win one of the nine categories.

The name of the pasty comes from the Dunmow Flitch Trials that take place every four years when couples must convince a jury of six local bachelors and six local maidens that they have never wished themselves un-wed for a year and a day.

Successful couples are paraded through Dunmow High Street and receive a flitch (side) of bacon.

Mrs Malins remarked that it was the main ingredient of smoky bacon that helped inspire the name of their winning pasty.