Crackling win by pork idol

A Black Country pub snacks firm is the pork of the town after scooping first, second and third places in a national competition.

Ace Pub Supplies, of Charles Street, Walsall, proved that their bags of pork crackling were up to scratch at the annual Pork Idol contest.

In the inaugural 2009 contest, the com-pany was awarded first place for its Q Pork Crackling, second for its Traditional Pork Scratchings and Big Bag Pork Scratchings came in at third.

Phil Rolls, who runs the company with his business partner, Linda Rolls, said winning the awards has increased sales in the products, with more pubs in Wolverhampton and Dudley interested in buying the snacks.

Mr Rolls said: "We were really surprised. Since we have had Pork Idol on the packets, sales have been picked up quite a bit.

"There's no secret ingredient. Everyone puts different flavourings in, and we have obviously got ours right."

The pork crackling firm, which was started from scratch by the couple in 1988, won a lucrative contract with pub operator Banks's last year, which created jobs and allowed thousands of pounds of investment.