The cream of Scotland's porridge cooks yesterday embarked on the contest to claim a hotly contested world title - with the prize of The Golden Spurtle at stake, The World Porridge Making Championship, now in its fifteenth year, got more than a dozen contestants stirring for glory at the Carrbridge Village Hall in Inverness-shire where the winner would take home the coveted trophy.

After an afternoon of intense competition the prize for the best porridge, made solely from oatmeal and water, was presented to Ian Bishop of The Slochd, Carrbridge.

Mr Bishop, 62, put his success down to the water he used, which he drew personally from an underground river 100ft under his home. He was presented with The Golden Spurtle trophy by Miss Scotland, Stephanie Willemse.

The speciality competition was won by local chef Addy Daggert with his marzipan porridge, accompanied by stewed vanilla apples and Glenfiddich ice cream.

Mr Daggert, 38, from Craigellachie, received his award from Anne Hilditch, widow of porridge-making legend and four times world champion Duncan Hilditch.