A County Durham butcher has scooped a top prize at a national awards with their ‘innovative’ take on a sausage.

Coates Butchers, based in Coxhoe, brought home two gongs from the Smithfield Awards, a national craft butchery competition in London last week.

One of twelve artisan butchers from across the UK to be crowned top of their class, Coates won the Diamond award in the ‘Innovative Sausage’ category with its Thai-style Pork Sausage.

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The Thai inspired cylindrical meat product was score 69 out of 70 by the judges and contains Thai spices, coconut milk and lemon grass which Coates says give it a “beautiful aromatic and spiced flavour”.

It also scooped the Diamond gong with its Spicy Chicken Fajita Kit in the ‘Best Energy Efficient Hot-eating Product’ category, which was new for 2023 amid the cost of living crisis.

The fajita kit scored full marks from the judges and was described as “very appetising” and a “superb product”.

And second-generation butcher Ewan Lowther, 24, was named runner up for the Q Guild Young Butcher of the Year award recognising up and coming talent in the sector.

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Speaking after the win Ivan Lowther of Coates Butchers said: ”To win two diamond awards and Ewan to be runner up in the Young Butcher category is a remarkable achievement for our Durham village butchers shop in the company of some of Britain’s finest butchers.”

Gordon Wallace, Q Guild Manager said: “The standard of entries this year was as high as ever so being crowned best in class in two categories is a fantastic achievement for Coates.

“We were delighted to present them with their awards which not only endorses the quality of their products but helps to raise standards and drive innovation across the craft butchery industry.”