Organised by the two hotels and supported by The Local Food Groups for Berkshire and Oxfordshire, based at Oxford Brookes University, The Two Counties Sausage Challenge Competition has been designed for independent butchers and producers to win recognition for their sausages. The overall sausage champion will get the chance to feature his or her winning sausage on the menu of both hotels.

Sausage producers from the two counties have been invited to enter their sausages into three categories - traditional pork, speciality pork and Berkshire or Oxfordshire sausage. A carefully selected judging panel will be there on the day of the final (Thursday 2 November 2006), to search out the best two counties¹ sausage and will be judging the appearance, taste, texture and smell amongst other criteria. As well as Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards, trophies and laminated certificates will be awarded to each of the three category winners.

"The Swan is delighted to be hosting this exciting competition during British Sausage Week," said Karl Bentley, general manager of The Swan. "We¹re a huge advocate of British food and like to support local producers where possible. We will always incorporate local foods into our menus where we can. We thought a sausage competition was a good idea, because we¹re always on the hunt for a good sausage!

"Although the competition is in its first year, we have already had an enormous amount of interest. The overall winner will have the opportunity to feature their winning sausage on the menus at both hotels for a month."

For information on how to apply click here.