THE fame of Thirsk's black pudding is spreading.

Duncan Haigh, 34, has won a gold medal award at a competition in Normandy, France, at his first attempt.

Doreen's Black Pudding, named after Mr Haigh's mother, has already won many awards.

But the family business, launched by Doreen's late husband Arthur and operating from Dalton Industrial Estate, has now produced a new line - a triangular pud.

Duncan sent a sample of the new product for the competition and his mother jokingly said that he could be allowed time off work to visit the town if he won.

Mrs Haigh said: "It was made lightly, but we had to stand by it when Duncan's pudding won the award."

Duncan duly made the journey across the Channel to attend the award presentation and is now making plans to join next year's black pudding pageant where he hopes to become a Knight of the Black Pudding.