Two North Ayrshire bakeries are “delighted” to have won major prizes at the worldwide Scotch Pie Awards.

Irvine's Bakery in Beith and Beth Browning's Bakery in Kilwinning both won big at the awards ceremony on January 24 at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld.

The Beith bakery won three prizes taking home a silver award in ‘hot savoury’ for their chicken and black pudding pie, a bronze award in ‘steak pie (hand-held)’ for their steak pie, and a second bronze award in ‘football pie and savoury’ for their steak pie at Beith Juniors FC.

Owner of Irvine’s, Maurice Irvine, said: “Obviously we’re delighted! We’ve been fortunate enough that we've consistently performed well in this championship.

“It just drives us on. It makes us all want to do a good job of what we’re doing and it’s good to be recognised and appreciated as one of the top bakers.

“Winning in three different categories is a credit to the skilled bakers who work here.”

The bakery has seen success at the wards before having won ‘baker of the year’ at the awards in 2011 and coming runner up last year.

Meanwhile, Beth Browning’s Bakery’s apple pies were recognised as the best in the business as they won the gold award.

Beth said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won Gold for our Apple pie in The World Championship Scotch Pie Awards 2023!

"Our Apple Pies have been the height of fame the past couple months after featuring on 'Alan Titchmarsh: Love Your Weekend' featuring Mary Berry stating how delicious they are and now winning Gold! We are truly beyond words at BBB!

"I hope this encourages people to shop local and support their high street especially with the cost of living crisis."

The Kilwinning bakery is no stranger to awards, winning the prestigious Scottish Baker of the Year Award for their morning rolls and potato scones in 2018.

The Scotch Pie Awards are run by Scottish Bakers and were established in 1998 to “shine a light on the craft skills pie makers demonstrate day in and day out.”

Alasdair Smith, Scottish Bakers’ chief executive, said: “With nearly 500 of the best pies on the market submitted by 78 of the best butchers, bakers and other pie makers for judging by 60 pie professionals, all of our winners can be proud of placing so highly in the competition.”