WOODCHESTER-based Plenty! Pies has triumphed for the third year in a row winning eight accolades - more than ever at this year’s British Pie Awards.

The family business has won an impressive haul of three golds, four silvers and a bronze award in the Oscars of the pie world.

Plenty’s best-selling Breton chicken pie gained Highly Commended in two categories – meaning that it scored the second highest score of all golds in both classes it entered.

Its Cotswold venison pie also achieved the award of Highly Commended gold.

The company won silver awards for its shin of beef, Veggistan vegetarian filling, Devon duck and Breton chicken and a bronze for its wild boar and chorizo filling - meaning that all the fillings it entered won an award.

A total of 815 pies were tasted by 109 judges and assessed for appearance, texture and flavour of both pastry and filling.

Plenty! Pies director Marc Birch creates the recipes for more than 150 savoury fillings, sourcing many of the ingredients locally.

He said: “We are thrilled to have scooped eight awards, in these, the most prestigious event for pie makers.

“It’s a worthy tribute to our dedicated team and we’re delighted that the judges liked our pies as much as our loyal local customers.”

The British Pie Awards are hosted every year by Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association (MMPPA).

This is the third year that Plenty! Pies has entered the British Pie Awards.

In 2014, the company won the top accolade of champion pie for the Breton chicken pie, and last year won one of just 21 golds for its smoked salmon pie and a bronze for its duck and gammon pie.

Marc and his wife Kate started Plenty! Pies five years ago and employ a small team who prepare everything from scratch.