Owners of a famous book store in Northumberland have come up with a novel idea - their very own signature hot dog.
American-born Mary Manley, who founded Barter Books at Alnwick with husband Stuart, was the brains behind the Frankfurter-style offering, which is on sale in the store’s Station Buffet cafe.
She turned to Alnwick butcher Turnbull’s for ideas and inspiration.
The Market Street shop has been supplying the cafe with award-winning bangers, bacon and burgers for many years.
Daniel Turnbull, 23-year-old son of owner Mark Turnbull, was tasked with creating a hot dog exclusively for the site.
After experimenting with several different recipes, Daniel came up a pork and beef-based hot dog using Northumbrian produce, seasoned with a “secret” blend of curing salts and slightly smoked on the outside.
Mary said: “We had the concept. We were after a hot dog with a difference – one with a bigger bite destined to become man, woman and children’s best friend!
“We always try to use local suppliers and Turnbull’s Butchers took the lead and turned our dream into reality.
“They say that every dog has its day and, like our books, our new hot dogs are literally flying off the shelves each and every day.
“We were confident they’d be bound to succeed. Now we wouldn’t swap them for the world!”
Mark Turnbull said: “We don’t necessarily believe in doing everything by the book!
“Imagination and inspiration are central to new product development and we’re chuffed to bits that our Frankfurter-style hot dog is already fast becoming a best seller in the Station Buffet at Barter Books.”
Generally regarded as the world’s most famous second-hand bookshop, the site opened in 1991 in the former Alnwick train station and attracts 350,000 visitors from around the world each year.
Turnbull’s is a member of the national Butchers Q Guild, with Mark the organisation’s North East chairman and national vice chairman.
