TWO boozy bangers have helped a Largs butcher enjoy some sizzling success in a major awards competition.
The boss at AD Paton in Largs was tickled to see his pork and pink gin sausage and a separate cider-infused one tantalising the tastebuds of judges at the recent Scottish Craft Butchers product evaluation.
Scott Paton won silver for the unusual gin-flavoured product, and sliced sausage, while claiming gold for his Italian sausage and pork and mixed fruit cider sausage.
They were submitted for grilling by the experts at an evaluation held at Forth Valley College last month. 
The results were announced at the Craft Butchers gathering held at the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew.
The event attracted 276 entries from sausage makers all over Scotland.
A delighted Scott said: "The pink gin is very nice - and we have a mixed fruit cider one too. 
"We like to think outside the box.
"Instead of adding water, you add the alcohol and it still gives you the taste of it, and the cider or the pink gin coming through.
"Gin is becoming so popular at the moment, and it is featuring in a lot of bars, so we thought why don't we give it a shot?
"It is certainly very different.
"The Italian sausage includes different herbs and spices, and is an old Italian recipe with a bit of black pepper."
Scott says that it pays to try creating something unique in the kitchen - and credits his 'links' with customers as crucial.
He told the News: "The secret of our success is thinking out of the box, and we ask our customers for ideas of what they would personally like to see, and we do our best to fulfill that."
Praising Scott and his fellow winners, Paul Boyle, president of Scottish Craft Butchers, said: “All butchers think we make the best products but it is not until you pitch them against others that you find out just how good they really are.
"To win awards in this evaluation is a great honour for the recipients because the standards are high and by highlighting the best available this serves as an important signpost for sausage lovers on the quest for the best.
"I know how important sausages are to customers and I hope that all recipients of awards attract new and repeat business.”