FOUR Arkell's pubs near Swindon will see if the proof really is in the pudding at a head-to-head Yorkshire Pudding competition.

In celebration of National Yorkshire Pudding Day in the US four pubs and hotels will compete in a ‘battle of the batter’ for a chance to be crowned the Cotswold King of the Yorkshire Pudding.

The Angel Hotel, in Royal Wootton Bassett, The Golden Cross in Cirencester, The Riverside Inn in Lechlade and the Priory Inn in Tetbury will compete in the two-stage competition.

Mark Lindesay is the landlord of The Golden Cross Inn and prepares his Yorkies himself despite a kitchen brigade. “I have my own recipe that has served the pub well over the years so am confident of a win,” he said. While Riverside Inn manager Rachel Davies said she “is confident in her team.”

Members of the public are being ask to post pictures of their Yorkshire puddings on the pub or hotel’s social media pages.

Anyone who visits all four pubs will enter a draw to join the final independent panel of judges selected to declare the winner in November.