THE Biddestone Arms has won the first gluten free pie category in the 2015 British Pie Awards.

The country pub near Chippenham, whose monthly pie nights regularly attract up to 50 people, was named top for its gluten free steak and ale pie in the popular new category.

Head chef James Hedges, who runs the Biddestone Arms with his son Will, said: “We were very pleased to see that a class had been dedicated to gluten free pies this year and were absolutely ecstatic to be named the winner.

"This new class attracted a lot of entries. More than ever, pie makers are recognising a growing need for gluten free alternatives, so to be named class winner is very humbling.”

They were also awarded second place for their entry in the fish pie category in the seventh annual national awards, which celebrate the heritage of the British pie.

They were held in Melton Mowbray on April 23, when 830 pies were entered from 131 professional bakers and butchers.

Judges included TV chef Andy Bates off the Food Network, leading food critic Charles Campion and renowned food writer Xanthe Clay.

Mr Hedges, 50, who trained in the same place as Marco Pierre White, Le Gavroche, likes to sit down with hischef son Will, 21 and come up with creative pie fillings like kangaroo and Asian spice or wild boar and chorizo, both of which have proved popular at their monthly pie nights.

Customers pay £15 for a choice of six homemade shortcrust pastry pies and get to vote for their favourite. The winner then has a place on the specials board for the month that follows.

“We get 40 or 50 people coming along to the night,” said Mr Hedges.

They also had three successes in last year's awards.

Matthew O’Callaghan, chairman of the British Pie Awards, said: “What a year for the awards – we’ve seen a truly varied and plentiful plethora of pies. The standard of entrants this year was higher than ever before; the Biddestone Arms can be very proud.”