A BURGER invented by a North Yorkshire butcher has made it to the final of a barbecue competition.

Mr Tim Stothard of High Side Butchers at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, entered the Meat and Livestock Commission's competition, held during national barbecue week, for new ideas for pork, lamb and beef.

Mr Stothard, shown, right, with his winning burgers, explained that entrants had to come up with four products suitable for barbecueing for each type of meat, and create a display. They then had to chose one product from each meat to go forward to the regional competition.

Mr Stothard entered his beef burger de luxe and won the beef section of the regional competition against butchers from as far apart as Berwick-upon-Tweed and Worksop.

The exact recipe is a closely-kept secret, but Mr Stothard would say that the burger was coated in breadcrumbs and stuffed with cheese.

His regional win earned his burger a place in the national final of the competition in Milton Keynes, against the winners from seven other regions.

"It's different and it's absolutley gorgeous. It was just something I came up with for the competition," said Mr Stothard. - Picture: BR/D&S