BLACK pudding and sausage roll has proved a winning combination for a northern baker.

Helmsley-based Thomas the Baker has received a Great Taste Award for its deli black pudding sausage roll.

Judges praised the sausage roll as being “hearty” and “truly appealing looking” while combining “crisp and buttery, flaky pastry with a moist well-seasoned sweet porky inside.”

Thomas’ Deli Sausage Rolls are made by its master butchers and bakers at the firm’s flagship deli and bakery in Helmsley and were originally only sold in the one store.

However, when they quickly proved to be a best-seller, the decision was made to ‘roll’ them out to wider Thomas the Baker stores.

The hearty snack is made using a mix of locally-reared pork sausage meat, blended with a secret mix of herbs, spice and black pudding made on the premises by Thomas’ master butchers.

And to celebrate winning a Great Taste Award they will be available for tasting at all Thomas the Baker shops during next week, with customers encouraged to pop in and ask for a sample.

Simon Thomas, general manager, said:"As a family business these are often family recipes which we work on with our wonderful team – so it is something we take great personal pride in.

"Which is why we wanted to let people taste them for themselves."