THE second annual pork pie competition in a Weardale pub attracted entries from all over the region.

Competition was fierce and the standard was high for the contest in the Cross Keys, Eastgate.

And, as in previous contests, the competition produced its fair share of boasts, tall tales and hard luck stories . . . like how it took farmer Alistair Ward all day and night to produce the best pork pie in the dale, or how pub landlord Athol Graham lost his place among the winners to a late entry called Paddy O'Doors.

Pork pies from as far away as Newcastle, Kirkby Stephen and Evenwood were transported to the pub yesterday to come under the scrutiny of judges Brian Peart, a former Darlington butcher, and home economics teacher Margaret Gibbons.

Organiser Paul Collinson, of the pub's Sunday Club, which runs events like hay-sniffing and Easter egg-jarping among other things said he was disappointed that this year's entry only totalled 25, compared with 52 last year.

But he was quick to point out that they were all of the home-made variety.

He said: "The proof of the pie is in the eating and its quality."

Alistair Ward, of Rogerley Farm, Frosterley, picked up a handsome trophy and £30 for his victory, and was proud that his pie had been made from all local ingredients.

He also admitted that it would not have been possible without a little help from his wife, Gillian.

Second was last year's winner, Alice Dennison, from Kirkby Stephen, and third Christine Emerson, of Eastgate.

Landlord Athol Graham, who managed to gain some crumb of comfort by finishing in the top ten under an alias, said: "It's been a grand day. We're planning an even bigger do next year."