Pie-eating champion Martin proves he’s the upper crust
NEVER mind Christmas, it was Crust-mas in Wigan as 24th annual World Pie Eating Championships took place.
Stormtroopers were hired to escort the baked goods into Harry’s Bar, where reigning champion Martin Appleton-Clare felt the Force once again to claim his fourth title.
The 39-year-old from Shevington demolished his pie in an incredible 32 seconds – 13.5 seconds quicker than last year – at the Pie Noon showdown.
It was the third year in a row he lifted the Bradley Piggins Trophy.
After celebrating his gobbling glory Martin told the M.E.N.: “It was just another day at the office for me really.
“I was probably the bookmakers’ favourite, but you never know who is going to turn up.
“Anybody could come through the doors, I could have had a bad day, but I didn’t, luckily.”
Asked about his pie performance tips, Martin added: “I just turn up and eat.
“People ask me if I do any training. I don’t.
“I like pies and I eat quickly – put the two together and I’m the World Pie Eating Champion for the fourth time. I’ll just keep going and going until somebody beats me.”
The first female competitor to finish her meat and potato pastry was 37-year-old Vicky Lindley from Doncaster, who made the trip over the Pennines.
She said: “I’ve done extreme ironing at the top of Mount Snowdon and entered the World Bog Snorkling Championships.
“I find strange things to enter and this year I thought it would be the World Pie Eating Championships.”
The messy but much-loved contest is an annual fixture on the town’s Christmas calendar.