SOME of Scotland's finest slice sausage comes from Muirkirk.

John Dawson Butchers has been producing the square delicacy for over 30 years and – after finally deciding to enter – has been recognised by Scottish Craft Butchers.

They picked up their gold certificate at the Craft Butchers regional meeting at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew on Tuesday, September 18 and owner Diane Dawson was quick to thank her team for their all efforts.

She said: "Its not really my sausage, its Dawson’s Square Slice Sausage and a real team effort.

"From Barry our manager who buys beef at Ayr Market, to the boys who butcher and prepare the ingredients, right through to Marion, Fiona and Sharon who serve in the shop. The sausage is also packaged and supplied to our wholesale customers as far as Girvan and Strathaven.

"We believed our product is a winner because we carefully selecting the best quality Scottish beef, sourced locally and made to a traditional 30years + recipe."

Diane's husband John established the recipe when they first opened the store in the 1980s.

"The recipe was originally John's," she added. "He ran the business with me for over 30 years until sadly passing away last year.

"It was important for me and the team to continue the high standards and great reputation we had built up and we felt entering this competition would be a real challenge.

"We have always known our slice sausage a winner but having the Scottish Meat Federation Judge it as a Gold Award has been incredible. This was the first time Dawson the Butchers have ever entered a competition and were overjoyed to have won gold."