THERE was rapturous applause and loud cheers from the Pride of St Helens audience as a Special Achievement Award was bestowed on John Burchall, of the much-loved town centre business Burchall's.

Each year the ceremony sees the award given to someone who has made a considerable contribution to life in St Helens.

There is no shortlist for the award and is revealed as surprise on the night.

And it is fair to say Mr Burchall - as he is known to many - proved a popular choice, with the standing ovation inside Saints 1873 Lounge underling the affection that town has for both John and his famous family-run pie-maker Burchall's of Westfield Street.

Revealing the winner, the St Helens Star's editor Andrew Kilmurray said: "This year, we look to a much-loved St Helens family business that has been serving people of the town since 1840 and is very much part of our home’s DNA.

"Originally launched as a butchers shop before later merging as a bakery, it first opened along Church Street in St Helens town centre more than 180 years ago before becoming a fixture on Westfield Street in the 1920s.

"It has passed through five generations in the town and over those years it has become cherished by many people of St Helens, particularly for its famous pork pies which have brought customers from the town – and much further afield - flocking back to its distinctive green doors.

John Burchall goes up to collect his honourJohn Burchall goes up to collect his honour (Image: Dave Gillespie) "Indeed, there are those from St Helens who described them as the 'best pie makers in the world' and there are many, many ex-pat Sintelliners [around the wordl] who yearn for their taste.

"An independent business that has never lost that human touch, where no matter how busy the queue, the team always finds time to talk with a wit and warmth that always gives the customer something more than a delicious hot pie to take away.

"Too often these wonderful family-run businesses are overlooked on awards nights like these and they eventually fade into history without having a moment in the spotlight.

John Burchall is congratulated by Rich Gallagher from RJG Architecture John Burchall is congratulated by Rich Gallagher from RJG Architecture (Image: Dave Gillespie) "But not tonight, this is a moment to salute a place cherished by the people of St Helens…and it gives us great pleasure to present John Burchall – the man who has been at the helm at Burchall’s for three decades of its 184-year-old history – with the Pride of St Helens Special Achievement Award."

Speaking to the event host Fraser Dainton on stage, John said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked - I just can't thank people enough. It's just incredible.

"I have to go back to my father and my grandfather and great-grandfather who started the business off - I just carried out it on the best I can - and it seems to have been appreciated by everyone."

Burchall's on Westfield StreetBurchall's on Westfield Street (Image: St Helens Star) John, who admitted over the summer that he is closing in on retirement, went on to express his love for his hometown.

Quizzed by Fraser on whether he would ever reveal what the secret ingredients are in his pies, he gave a big smile and a polite no.

A beaming John was congratulated by many during the remainder of the night.

The Special Achievement Award is sponsored by RJG Architecture.