The campaign is calling for the British staple to benefit from the same protection granted to Cornish pasties and Bramley Apples, which means authentic ingredients and cooking methods must be used. He said: “We’ve got cracking shops who are masters of the art of pie and mash, it’s not about protecting, it’s about really celebrating it. “It’s really important that we don’t lose that connection, it’s an important thing to celebrate.

“Melton Mowbray has its pork pies, Cornwall has its pasties, Cockneys have their pie and mash. We’re pushing for it to get recognised.” Mr Holden said everyone “needs to get their shoulders to the wheel” to turn up the pressure on Defra and recognise it as a “proper, traditional product.

” He said: “It would be very good to get it into the house of Parliament. It’s a cheap meal for people, think, it’s a fiver for something that comes on a plate with a spoon and fork, a burger comes with paper and you throw it away. “It’s our life, it’s been in the family for almost 100 years.

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