Golden Spurtle winner

A guesthouse owner from Argyll has taken the honours in the annual world porridge-making championships. A dozen cooks from across the UK had gathered in Carrbridge, in Strathspey, for the contest to see who can make the finest bowl of the oatmeal dish.

Judges marked the entrants on their porridge's appearance, consistency and taste, before deciding on a champion.

The winner of the coveted Golden Spurtle, or stirrer, was Maria Soep from Kilchrenan.

Ms Soep, who reached the final last year, came out victorious after a three-way cook-off. She said her secret was a special batch of pinhead oats bought from Oban, on Scotland's west coast.

"I buy my pinhead oatmeal from a health food shop - it is the best that money can buy," she said. I soaked them overnight, added a bit of salt and some good water. But it's the oatmeal that counts." Mrs Soep added: "It feels great to have won - I am delighted."