Comedy star Bernie Clifton awards prizes at Shropshire pub's mince pie bake-off
Last week he was performing in front of royalty and sharing a stage with the likes of Sting and Robbie Williams and this weekend Bernie Clifton popped into a Shropshire pub to hand out the prizes in an annual mince pie bake-off.
Joined by his panto co-star Craig Cowdroy, the stars of Sleeping Beauty at Oakengates Theatre were at the Crown Inn, Oakengates, for the popular festive event which has now been running for about 20 years.
Comedy legend Bernie, well known for his television appearances riding Oswald the Ostrich, and Craig, who plays Nanny Nora in the panto, handed out certificates and beer vouchers to the winners.
Richard Lees, of St Georges, won first place while Sue Folger, of Ketley Bank, won second and third prizes for her entries.
There was also carol singing at the pub, with performers from Telford group Cadence leading the sing-along.
Four members of the choir judged the contest, scoring the taste, texture and appearance of the mince pies.
Entries were limited to two per family group this year after the popularity of last year's event meant judges had to taste 17 mince pies before announcing a winner.
More than 100 people visited the pub for the festivities on Saturday afternoon.
Landlord John Ellis said: "We had to reduce the amount of entries this year.
"We had six in the end from five different people. The mince pie competition is always hotly contested and the quality of the entries was very high.
"It was lovely to have Bernie back. He had done it six years earlier and that was another year when Richard Lees won the contest.
"We are delighted with how it went. It all came together beautifully."
Last week, Bernie missed panto rehearsals to dash down to London for the Royal Variety Performance to take part in a running gag by compere David Walliams that he was the star act.
"Throughout the show David referred to me and my comedy ostrich as "top of the bill"," he said afterwards.
"Prince Charles looked at the Ostrich and said what exactly is it? Camilla was lovely as well, it was a wonderful wonderful night to remember.
"Immediately afterwards I jumped into a car and got back to Telford about three in the morning and our first show was at 10am in the morning morning.
