IF you want to buy quality haggis any time soon then a Cardenden butchers is the place to do so.

Andrew Kirk Butchers on Station Road was recently honoured at the first ever Haggis World Championship.

Producers from across the globe were invited to compete in the event which was staged in Perth.

Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB) organised the hunt for the world's best traditional haggis which also saw five regional Scottish champions crowned.

Andrew Kirk was selected as champion for the East of Scotland at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair.

The regional champions went on the compete in the World Championship final and they went on to lift the Reserve Champion Title.

SCB President George Jarron said it was appropriate that the first World title for a product so quintessentially Scottish should be staged in Scotland.

"Scottish Craft Butchers were delighted to host this exciting event and bring together some of the most outstanding haggis producers to compete for the very first World title," he said.

"It's a product that is enjoyed by the Scottish diaspora throughout the world and there are a lot of world class recipes and experts out there.

"Haggis attracts global as well as local recognition, so it is important that we reward those local producers who excel at making our national dish."

The competition was staged as part of the SCB Trade Fair - a biennial event attended by butchers from across the UK.

So, the regional champions will hold the crown for two years.

"We're looked for a 500g traditional Scottish haggis in ball shape," detailed George.

"Judges looked at appearance, casing, flavour, texture and the true rustic nature of our national dish."

Judges selected five regional winners from within SCB members before including all-comers in the battle for the world title, along with two runners-up.