LIFE is nice as pie for a Stourport business owner whose shop - which is not even a year old - has been given a prestigious food award.

The Pie Creator, in the town's High Street, has won the Heat of England fine foods diamond award for prepared foods for its premium pies.

The company opened its doors just 11 months ago.

Pie Creator owner Nigel Craige said: "We entered our game, pork and duck with clementine and cointreau pies into the diamond awards and all three went to the final. The game pie was chosen as the winner by the judges for its outstanding flavour and excellence of pastry.

"This is a well respected and valued national award and we were up against stiff competition from producers from across the country.This has already opened up new opportunities to the business and has encouraged us to think about expansion even though we are not yet a year old."

The crystal trophy was presented to the Pie Creator team at the awards dinner held at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham in May 2014.

Mr Craige added: "We would like too thank the business support team at Wyre Forest District Council as we truly feel we couldn't have achieved this level of success on our own. The help and advice provided along with the start-up grants for local people with a seed of an idea is really fantastic."

Independent councillor Helen Dyke, town centre champion, said: "Congratulations to the Pie Creator on receiving their award and for having the courage and drive to set up their business in the first place. It's great to see a young local business being recognised for producing something exceptional and we wish them well for the future."

Conservative councillor John Campion, the district council's cabinet member for economic prosperity, added: "We're delighted the Pie Creator has won this award. They have a superb product and the success to date is a great example of how the council can support a new venture to get off the ground and go forward.

"Our business start-up and support packages are designed to help local people who have a good idea and are open to receiving support and encouragement. We wish them many more culinary prizes and say keep up the great work."

The Heart of England fine foods diamond awards are open to food and drink producers as well as retailers and hospitality providers selling and serving local food and drink and business service providers offering services to support food and drink producers across Birmingham and the Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.