FAGGOTS were the order of the day in 2009 - as one North Petherton butcher celebrated their revival.

Butcher Malcolm Pyne believed soaring sales were down to customers turning their backs on luxury foods like steak and roasting joints as prices rocket in favour of traditional, cheaper delicacies.

At that time, faggots had become so popular that the store was selling around 3,000 each week and one member of staff, Sam Chidgey, employed solely to produce them.

She said: “We have been completely flat out since the start of December – it’s been non-stop.

"All I do now is make faggots all day, every day, they are taking over my life but I don’t mind.

"I absolutely love them and so does my family!”

Malcolm says his secret family recipe is drawing scores of customers from all over the region eager to get their hands on his minced pork and liver goodies.