A FAMILY butchers that has been in business for 150-years is celebrating its anniversary in style with the creation of a birthday pie.

Appleton’s butchers of Ripon, who have four shops in Ripon, Boroughbridge, Wetherby and York, have created a one of a kind celebration pie to mark their 150th anniversary.

Established in Ripon in 1867, Appleton’s are best-known for their handmade pork pies, which have customers queuing round Ripon’s market square and are beloved by Prince Charles.

The anniversary pie is made in a traditional game pie mould, with hand raised pastry, locally sourced rose veal and York ham, produced from Appleton’s own pigs, which are reared on the family farm in Ripon.

Owner Anthony Sterne said “Reaching our 150th anniversary is a very proud moment for Appleton’s.

“Despite the sad decline of many butcher’s shops in Britain in the past few years, we are lucky to be supported by fantastic loyal customers, who come to Appleton’s for high welfare local meat, prepared with care and great service.

“We have created the anniversary pie using a recipe resurrected from the Appleton’s vaults, and we hope many of our customers will join in our celebrations and try it this week.”

The pie is on sale next week.