A man who won a year’s free supply of pies after coming top in a ‘pie-factor’ contest will get a taste of success next month.

James Mason, from Apperley Bridge, and 14 other panelists from the North West will go to Holland’s pie-makers in Baxenden, Lancashire, on December 2 and 3 to get stuck in to their tasting roles.

Mr Mason, a sports reporter and public relations man, was chosen in a competition after sending in a 50-word e-mail on why he should be a panelist and then troughed his way through a series of other meaty tests.

The Bradford City fan never misses out on buying a pie at matches.