John G Renicks Butchers has been crowned World Scotch Pie Champion.

John G Renicks beat off competition from north and south of the border to win the title for the first time.

The award-winning family butcher, of Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill, has been a regular participant in the 13-year-old competition.

The World Scotch Pie Championships are held annually in Dunfermline with a wide range of different awards.

Second prize went to Edenmill Farm Shop from Blanefield, near Stirling, and third was Borders bakers, Alex Dalgetty and Sons from Galashiels.

The winning shop is run by Iain Renicks along with his mother Ellen and his brother James.

He dedicated the award to his late father John who started the business 25 years ago.

He said: “I use Galloway beef in our pies and I added more seasoning this time.

“I’d worked out that the judges like a little extra spice to the mixture.

“The seasoning was a little stronger than I would normally make for selling in the shop and I selected the best looking four from the batch of 18 to take to the judges.”

He said the win could have a “huge impact” on his business.

“We could be one of the smallest businesses entered and this is the crème-de-la-crème of awards,” he said.

“It is judged by men and women who have been in the baking and butchery trade, they know the business.

“Being judged by your peers to be the best is phenomenal and there is a huge amount of credibility behind this.”