THOMAS the Baker is celebrating receiving the first-ever three-star Great Taste award given to a mince pie in the awards’ 25-year history.

Introduced to 30 stores, including Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering, the Heavenly Sweet Mince Pie was created following two years of development by the bakery team.

Only 205 of the 12,777 products entered into the Great Taste Awards received three stars.

“To say we are delighted to have been awarded the coveted three-star Great Taste award would be an understatement,” said Simon Thomas, managing director at Thomas the Baker.

“We are very proud of all of our products, with a lot of love and years of experience going into everything we make.”