A TOP title win has boosted trade for a Herefordshire pie and sausage maker.

David Waller, who owns DT Waller Family Butchers in Ledbury, has enjoyed sizzling sales success after being named this year's Supreme Speciality Pie Champion.

The 53-year-old took eight gold awards for his sausages and pies, as well as the top accolade for his Clinton Pie at the Millennium South England Pastries Three Counties Competition.

Since then, the shop - which he runs with his sons Nathan, aged 23 and Matthew, 26 - has seen a three-fold increase in the number of gala pies sold.

"We started off making between seven and 10 pies a week," said Mr Waller.

"Since we won the competition we can make between 20 and 30 of the large gala pies and we have 20 varieties."

The Clinton Pie - named after Mr Waller's baker pal Reggie Clinton, who invented the recipe but died a month before the competition win - is made from pork, pistachio nuts and double cream.

"I only made a few traditional varieties like pork and steak pies," Mr Waller added.

"I wanted to branch out and do something special. Reggie gave me the recipe, which he thought would suit me.

"As long as my boys are making pies, his name will never be forgotten."