Bernie Clifton - in mince pie form

He's most famous for "riding" Oswald the Ostrich but even comedian Bernie Clifton couldn't have imagined his act would be encapsulated in a mince pie.

But one county baker has done just that - and bagged himself the Great Oakengates Mince Pie title in the process.

Richard Lees, of St Georges, was one of 15 entrants for the annual competition at the Crown Inn, Oakengates. His effort, which featured a marzipan version of Bernie and Oswald alongside two iced mince pies topped with smiling features, took the top honour despite not being tasted.

"It's just too nice to tuck into," said landlord John Ellis. "The mince pies were judged on taste, texture and appearance and they were scored out of 10 and then the points were added up.

"Only for the winner we didn't taste it - no-one wanted to - we just made that one the winner. We won't be tucking into it. It's still in the pub at the moment and we're going to be raffling it off for charity at our quiz night on December 28."

Mr Ellis added that the event was one of the highlights of the pub's calendar.

He said: "It was our traditional Great Oakengates Mince Pie competition which is always a favourite day of mine.

"We always hold it the Saturday before Christmas and asked Bernie to come down with other members of the cast from the pantomime at The Place, which is Jack and the Beanstalk.

"And because that night's show was then cancelled due to the weather they stayed and mingled with the customers for a while.

"We had 15 entries which considering the weather was a really good effort."

The event also saw about £80 raised for Help for Heroes from a collection.