World Pie Eating contest in disarray over pastry

Contestants at the World Pie Eating competition in Wigan are in uproar because a novice chef has made the pastry cases too large.

Instead of being 12 cm wide,  Emma Garner has shaped shells into 12 in, more than double the intended size.

Covering for her mistake, Garner has made the comment: "If they are champion pie-eaters you would think they would have to eat big pies".

But event organiser Tony Callaghan insists that it was "utterly irresponsible to ask a novice to make pies for the contest.

The contest has been dogged by controversy. In recent attempts to find the greatest pie eater ever the emphasis has switched from volume to speed of consumption. Then, last year a fridge door was left open, and a dog ate many of the pies sitting inside.

Pies matter >>

Good week/bad week >>