AN acclaimed Wirral sandwich shop owner is hoping to taste success for a second time after entering a national competition.

Paula Smith, who runs Let's Lunch in Birkenhead's Pyramids Shopping Centre, still savours the taste of success after her roast dinner delight earned her the title of Sandwich Designer of the Year.

The creative conjurer hopes her pesto-themed concoction will once again tantalise taste buds after being whittled down to the final of the competition in May.

Paula will put her culinary skills to the test at the competition at the Lancaster Hotel near London’s Hyde Park on May 15 when she will present her sandwich to a panel of judges. The winner will be announced that night.

The mum-of-one from Wallasey, has owned the eaterie for 12 years. She said: "Winning the competition, despite entering for the very first time last year was such a great achievement, I just couldn’t resist entering again.

Paula's entry is made up of toasted herb focaccia bread, spread with pesto, sliced roast chicken, roasted peppers in garlic and beef tomatoes.

It was a far cry from her Sunday lunch sarnie, which took the prize last year. 

And the creation only came about to mark the tenth anniversary of Let’s Lunch.

Paula explained: "I wanted to do something special to celebrate a decade in business so we took to Facebook and asked our customers to give us some unique sandwich ideas.

"One of our regulars came up with the idea of a roast dinner sandwich and we thought it was great so we put one together, it went down a treat.

"Then out of the blue, I had an email from someone telling me I should enter it into the Sandwich Designer of the Year competition.

"It's something I'd never thought to do before but I decided to go for it, never for one moment thinking that it would actually win.

"Now we're making the competition a regular thing and are even making room on a shelf in the shop for some more awards."

Derek Millar, commercial director for Pyramids Shopping Centre, said: “We are all so pleased for Paula that she has made it through to the finals of this prestigious awards for a second time.

"I know our shoppers love her sandwiches and it is terrific to see her talents being recognised in this way."