WHEN the mince pies hit the shops you really know that Christmas has arrived!

But who makes the best mince pies in Bolton?

Everyone has his or her own favourite, but here at the BEN (where we reckon we know a thing or two about taste!) we decided to run the Great Mince Pie Challenge.

In a light-hearted test, we asked a panel of six tasters to sample nine of the best-known brands available locally.

We asked them to comment on Packaging, Appearance, Pastry, Filling, Overall taste and Value for Money.

And the result of our special festive Challenge was that Greenhalgh's are our No.1!

They scored the highest, with Morrisons pies a single point behind them.

Below are the results of our survey with some of the remarks from our testers.

Of course, you may well have a completely different opinion of what is Bolton's Best Mince Pie. The main thing is to enjoy your favourite! What the judges thought MR KIPLING -- £1.09 for 6. Packaging: "very festive looking", "Christmassy box". Appearance: "festive pattern", "patterned top looks nice." Pastry: "very flaky and crumbly", "very nice and moist". Filling: "too much", "sweet, too sickly". Overall taste: "excellent", "sharp", "bit too sweet."

Value for money: "good", "expensive".

Score: 36.5

GREGGS -- 24p each. Packaging: none. Appearance: "appealing", "pale and uninteresting", "plain". Pastry: "soft, delicate", "crumbly". Filling: "plenty of filling, tarty", "average", "nice, fruity brandy taste". Overall taste: "a bit sweet", "too dry, sticks in top of mouth". Value for money: "good", "very expensive".

Score: 32

ASDA -- 99p for 6. Packaging: "festive but unappealing flat box", "plain". Appearance: "nice looking", "large". Pastry: "soft", "too tough", "lovely, firm". Filling: "too tarty", "fruity not spicy". Overall taste: "good flavour, no after-taste", "dull, dry". Value for money: "good", "below par".

Score: 32

Tesco -- £1.09 for 6. Packaging: "festive box", "quite attractive". Appearance: "dark, nice lattice top", "very festive". Pastry: "tasteless", "nice and firm". Filling: "sticky", "fruity", "very good, deep pie". Overall taste: "nice and not too sharp", " not pleasant -- an after-taste". Value for money: "very good", "fair", "average".

Score: 37

GREENHALGH'S -- 32p each or box of 6 at £1.59. Packaging: "plain". Appearance: "appealing", "very nice, sugared top". Pastry: "soft, delicate", "crumbly", "nice and short". Filling: "absolutely gorgeous", "right amount of fruit", "rich". Overall taste: "excellent", "very nice". Value for money: "Good value".

Score: 43

SAINSBURY'S -- £1.29 for 6 (organic). Packaging: "plain box", "classic". Appearance: "looks attractive", "bland". Pastry: "cherry tasting", "average". Filling: "mushy", "nice and deep", "disgusting". Overall taste: "OK", "too much cinnamon", "horrible". Value for money: "expensive", "fine if you like organics".

Score: 24

MORRISONS -- £1.19 for 6 (luxury). Packaging: "inviting", "see through looks appealing". Appearance: "quite large and appetising", "looks like traditional mince pie". Pastry: "sweet", "nice, not too dry". Filling: "fruity -- you can taste the brandy but not the walnuts", "very rich". Overall taste: "fruity and delicate", "strong fruity flavour". Value for money: "very good value".

Score: 42

HAMPSONS -- £1.29 for 6. Packaging: "nice, you can see the tarts", "average". Appearance: "looks tasty", "pale looking". Pastry: "soft, tasty with sugar", "quite chewy", "quite moist but gives well". Filling: "plenty of fruit", "quite shallow", "bit spicy, goes quickly". Overall taste:"very tasty and fruity", "sharp taste", "unpleasant". Value for money:"quite good", "bit expensive".

Score: 37

MARKS & SPENCER -- £1.39 for 6 (puff pastry). Packaging: "festive box nicely presented", "traditional". Appearance: "doesn't look like a mince pie", "bit off-putting", "looks like a scone". Pastry: "too much pastry", "too thick", "very nice". Filling: "not enough", "beautiful very fruity". Overall taste: "bland", "poor -- pastry overwhelms the filling", "an excellent surprise -- it will go very well with fresh cream". Value for money: "expensive", "fair".

Score: 30.