TWO food producers in Worcestershire have proved their bangers are the best in the county and are now preparing to take their fight to the West Midlands.

H Dayus Family Butchers in the Bull Ring, St John's, Worcester, came top in Worcestershire in the tastiest speciality sausage category of a contest organised by Heart Of England Fine Foods.

And Teme Vale Victuallers at Cotheridge scooped top place in the tastiest breakfast sausage category.

Both winners will now go to the West Midlands final competing with butchers and food producers from across the region next Thursday.

Tristan Meier, shop manager at H Dayus, said it was the first time they had entered the competition.

"To come top in one category and third in the other is a great achievement for us," he said.

The speciality sausage that won the Worcestershire title was a pork and leek combination.

"All our meat is free range and local," Mr Meier said. "We take a lot of time and care in developing our products and are glad that the judges enjoyed them so much."

Teme Vale Victuallers' winning sausage was a classic pork breakfast sausage. Owner Chrys Titshall said: "It is really great to win through to the regional finals and we hope to get through to the nationals. We have won many national awards so we are ever hopeful."

Heart of England Fine Foods marketing manager Bonnie Joplin said competition was fierce.

"The standard of the entries was exceptionally high with some very tasty, well-made sausages in contention," she said. "The range of recipes and ingredients never fails to impress with entrants continuing to look for a new twist on this old British favourite - and to prove their bangers really are the best."