A BISHOPSTOKE butcher's sausage has been voted the best in the South East at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Competing against 500 other entries, Ambrose Sausages took gold for Gilbert's original sausage impressing judges at this year's BPEX British Sausage Week Awards.

They also took home a second gold award for their Jamaican jerk sausage and were presented the prizes by former England rugby player and Masterchef winner Phil Vickery.

Sue Ambrose said: “We are absolutely delighted and proud to have won best pork sausage in the South East of England and would like to thank all our family, friends and work associates for their support and especially Phil's grandfather, Gilbert, for creating such a delicious pork sausage recipe.”

Hampshire Farmers' Markets business manager, Alex Handford, added: “We are all thrilled about Ambrose Sausages winning two golds and the prestigious Best in South East award.

“Their sausages are very popular with our shoppers who come to our markets and actively seek them out. Sue and Phil have worked so hard to create such a high quality tasty product and Hampshire Farmers' Market are proud to have them as part of our team of stall holder producers.

“They have created a range of high quality local produce and it is great to be involved in the development and growth of their business.”