Penrith butchers Cranstons has picked up nine awards at a prestigious national event.

Cranstons won eight gold awards and a diamond award at the annual Q Guild of Butchers Smithfield Awards.

Philip Cranston, managing director and Martin Jones, Cranstons retail director attended the awards lunch in London.

The ceremony was hosted by Nigel Barden, a keen foodie and Radio 2 food show presenter, who specialises in promoting British ingredients and artisan producers.

The company was presented with the Diamond Award for its topside and cheddar burger.

The diamond award recognises the best product in each category of the awards.

Cranstons’ topside and cheddar burger beat stiff competition to be award the best Q Guild burger in the United Kingdom.

The 8oz burger combines Cranstons 21-day hung, locally farmed, topside with extra mature cheddar and tomato chutney.

The eight Gold Awards Cranstons picked up were for its Cumberland and caramelised onion sausage, gluten-free Cumberland sausage, ham on the bone, rustic Scotch egg, pork and apple pie, Ullswater pie and small steak pie and beef truffle.

Mr Jones said: "We are really chuffed to have picked up the diamond award.

"It’s fantastic when our extremely dedicated butchery team get recognition for the hard work they put in creating and serving delicious quality products.

"The burger is already a customer favourite but hopefully this award will encourage even more shoppers to try it."

Cranstons has six outlets – including its flagship foodhall near junction 40 of the M6 in Penrith, plus foodhalls at Orton Grange, Carlisle and Brampton and the traditional shops in Penrith and Hexham.

The company is planning to rebrand itself over the next 12 to 18 months to reflect its widening offer, which now includes everything from carrots to fine chocolates, and real ale to artisan bread.

Mr Cranston said: "We take a modern slant on traditional products.

"Yes, there will be some pressure to get the rebrand right, but we need to do it, and get across how and why we are different from our competitors and the big supermarkets."