A SAUSAGE and beer festival has found Yorkshire’s best sausage, which will now go through to a national contest in London.

The Camp Hill Sausage and Beer Festival returned to the estate near Bedale on July 20 and 21, where record numbers attended the annual event. There was live music, a large selection of local ales, a vintage fairground, charity dog show and street food stalls.

The festival also played host to the Yorkshire round of the famous Champion of Champions Sausage contest. The annual contest is designed to find the very best in sausage-making from around the UK and Republic of Ireland.

More than 20 butchers took part in the Camp Hill judging to find a Yorkshire winner.

Participants at the festival had to try all of the sausages in the contest and each cast a vote for their favourite creation.

First place went to R&J Yorkshire’s Finest Farmers and Butchers, of Kirkby Malzeard, with their Yorkshire Rose and Beyond sausage. It will now represent the county in the London finals.

Ryan Atkinson, general manager at R&J said: “It was the first time that we have ever been and what an incredible turn-out.

“We couldn’t believe how popular the Sausage Taste Test was, hundreds of people wanting to taste and find Yorkshire’s best banger.

“We are so pleased to have won first place and will certainly look into the Champion of Champions Award to celebrate our fortieth year even more.

“None of this could be done without the great team that we have behind the scenes so the cup is for everyone here at R & J.”

Festival organiser Jo Ropner said: “It really was a fantastic event, we were overwhelmed with how many people came and enjoyed the beautiful estate.

“The family atmosphere was perfect and we can’t wait for next year.”