A butchers in the Shaw area of Oldham has been crowned the champion after creating a winning sausage in a fierce competition.

Farmers Choice Butchers on Beal Lane, Shaw, were presented with the 'Paul Peacock Sausage of the Year' trophy earlier this week after creating the best sausage in the region.

The butcher's shop, which is currently run by father and son, Lee and Ben Brook, has been established in Shaw for more than 50 years.

The pair recently impressed judges with their winning 'Welsh dragon' pork chilli and leek sausage.

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Paul Walsh, President of Oldham Rugby Union Football Club, then presented the top accolade to the pair outside their shop.

The 'Golden Sausage award', which has been given to the top butchers across North East Manchester every year since 2015, coincides with the rugby player's reunion.

The trophy takes its name after one of the club's former players, Paul Peacock, died in 2018.

Paul wrote more than 20 books about food, such as 'Guide to Poultry Farming in the City', 'Cheese Making', 'Precycling', 'Seasonal Cookbook' and 'Smoking and Curing'.

The Oldham Times: The trophy shows all the winners over the yearsThe trophy shows all the winners over the years (Image: Farmers Choice Butchers)

However, his most notable work, 'The Sausage Book', is why the club decided to name the trophy after him and in his memory. 

Butchers who enter the competition generously donate their wares in hopes of becoming 'champion sausage maker'.

This year, Farmers Choice went up against Newhey Butchers and Sandwich Shop, Cinderhill Farm and Butchers Block, who also won the past two competitions.

It's also the second ever win for Farmers Choice, after their sausage was crowned the best in 2016.

Celebrating the win in a post online, Farmers Choice said: "This week, Ben entered our sausage in a competition and won.

"Come and grab the best sausage in the Oldham district".

Other winners since the awards began include Decker's Butchers, Ashworth Butchers, Bobbys Bangers, Farmers Choice, Bill Harrison, Ainsworth Butchers and Butchers Block.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.