Being named world champion for your knockers is not something all people aspire to achieve.

But for retired grandmother Jill Martin from Deal it was less about admiration for her ample assets and more about recognition of her palatable pasties which she’s branded Kentish Knockers.

The 68-year-old has just returned from The World Championship Pasty Competition held at The Eden Project where she won first prize for her Betteshanger Big Breakfast Kentish Knocker.

Jill Martin with her pasties

The sausage, bacon and egg parcel topped The Open Savoury category which was one of the two main categories of the day - the other being the Cornish Pasty class.

Competing in the 'professional' category because she sells the delights at Deal's Friday and Saturday markets, she beat off competition from hundreds of others including businesses and bakeries.

And because the contest doesn't limit the number of entries one person can make, she also came away with third prize too, for her Tilmanstone Topper pasty - a cheese, onion and apple variety.

The prizes are the icing on the cake for the passionate cook who started her own homemade takeaway business The Town Kitchen in February 2016.

She said: "Retirement is the best door that has even opened. Winning was mind blowing. I was absolutely bowled over, absolutely beside myself. It was one of the best days of my life.

"If you love cooking you want to share it with people and when they love what you do it's the icing on the cake."

The pasties are in homage to Kent’s miners – particularly Mrs Martin's father-in-law Ronald Martin, who retired from the pit at 65 and died three years later.

The name stems from 'the knocker', the mythical creature who would knock on the mine walls just before cave-ins. To give thanks for these warnings, and to avoid future peril, miners would cast the last bite of their tasty pasties into the mines for the knockers to enjoy.

Mrs Martin and her husband of more than 45 years Geoff were prevented from attending the event last year due to the Beast from the East.

But this year the weather was no obstacle, as they travelled seven-and-a-half-hours to compete on Saturday, March 2, with the precious pastry parcels in tow.

She transported two of the five different varieties she entered - one to be presented to the judges while the other was put on show for the 8,000 spectators in attendance.

Having been cooked to perfection the day before, they were carefully packed in cool boxes with ice packs and had to be kept under 8C.

They each represented a Kent pit - Chislet, Snowdown, Betteshanger and Tilmanstone, plus one for the town of Deal.

The 2016 Couples Come Dine With Me winner received a call during the afternoon informing her she had 'done well' and to ensure she was by the main stage for the presentation.

She initially thought she'd only received third place before her name was called a second time, as the overall winner.

She said: "Geoff's father would be delighted.

"It's ironic that he spent most of his life at Betteshanger colliery and ended up at Tilmanstone and they were the two that won.

"Cornwall has a famous pasty, why has the Garden of England not got one? Well it has now!"

She continued: "It's not just the pasties. It's the story as well.

"I can't explain how proud I am for the Kent miners, for the town, for the passion I put into my cooking.

"I'm a great believer in home cooked food. I believe it's the foundation of good health and happiness.

"It's only little old me in my little old kitchen, but you must believe in yourself."

Mrs Martin's other Knockers include hot tuna or ham, egg and chips. There's also a chunky fish finger with cheesy mash option.

Due to their growing popularity she has converted a bedroom in her home for storage and also invested in portable oven to ensure she can serve them hot.

Jill is a retired sales manager for P&O Ferries who also worked as a deputy manager for Topshop in Croydon.

Kentish Knockers start from £2.

Visit The Town Kitchen on Facebook, email jillmartin1950@gmail.com or call Jill on 07816 231086.