A TYNEDALE mum is clearing out her freezer to make space for her son's 5kg prize after winning a school competition.

James Coyne, a YR2 pupil from Darras Hall Primary School in Ponteland, has won the Pele Trust Geordie Banger competition with his winning tribute to Sycamore Gap, which was felled earlier this year.

James 'The Sycamore Sizzler', which is made from Roman ingredients such as honey, mustard and nettles, was a hit with the judges.

Hexham Courant: James presented with a certificate by Richard Bell, Pele Trust Area Catering Manager and Vin

Speaking about his creation, James said: "I thought it was so sad when the tree at Sycamore Gap was cut down, it meant so much to the North East. So, I thought it would be good to honour the Sycamore Tree and to include traditional Roman ingredients in the sausage."

This is the second year that Geordie Bangers has challenged Pele Trust Schools to "design a banger".

Runners-up included: H's Bombastic Banger (seaweed, chilli flakes and paprika: Heavenly Hot Dog (ketchup, mustard and crispy onions); Wild Wonder (wild mushrooms, blackberries, maple syrup) and Chinese Dumpling (soy sauce, ginger and honey.

A spokesperson from Pele Trust said: "All of our schools came up with a huge number of excellent entries but Richard Bell, Pele Trust area catering manager and Vin McDonald, owner of the Geordie Banger Company both agreed on a clear winner!

"James was identified as the winner and presented with a certificate by Richard and Vin. His classmates were really happy to learn that they would all be served a sausage breakfast as a result of James's great win.

"Geordie Bangers are so impressed with James's recipe that they are putting the Sycamore Sizzler into full production and available for general sale in the new year.

" James will be the first to see the new product come off the production line and will receive 5kg of sausage as part of his prize. James' mum is clearing her freezer as we speak.

"To say that the competition has been a talking point across our Trust primary schools is an understatement.  Staff, pupils and parents alike have all been involved and are delighted to see James take the main prize - particularly in honour of a much loved local landmark."