A FIRED-UP Englishman is hoping to beat the Scots at their own game when judging gets under way for the World Scotch Pie Championship in Dunfermline tomorrow.

Martyn Reynolds (44), formerly a Royal Navy weapons technician at Rosyth, now runs upper crust food firm Burbush of Penrith, which supplies Harrods in London.

He inherited a 20-year-old secret recipe when he took over the business 18 months ago and is determined to take the coveted title south of the border for the first time in seven years.

“We’ll be at the top of the pile when the awards are announced later this month,” he said. “Bring them on.”

Burbush of Penrith also supplies produce to House of Bruar and Dobbies Garden Centres in Edinburgh, Stirling and Ayr.

Mr Reynolds said seeing off 60 other competitors would be easy as pie.

“I’ve won national events before when the entry was 4500—much bigger than the entry here—and my client list proves I make quality pies,” he said.

“We make a number of pies for Harrods including game, pork pies and pork and stilton pies.

“I met the organiser of the World Scotch Pie competition in Edinburgh at a trade fair recently. Frankly, I didn’t take much convincing to enter—I love a challenge and I’m going for it.”

The only other entrant from south of the border is Graeme Trotter from Seahouses, Northumberland, who has so far failed to win the title.

Buckhaven butcher and baker Alan Stuart, who organises the World Scotch Pie Championship, said, “We’ve received 60 entries this year—on a par with the number 12 months ago.

“The aim of the event is to sell more pies, boost Scottish produce and to raise standards. I believe this competition does all three and it looks as if the judges will have a hard job on Wednesday.”

Judging will take place at Lauder College this week and the winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 29.