SAUSAGE makers Heck Food has been getting a grilling after a visit by PM hopeful Boris Johnson during which they created a special banger in his honour cooked up a storm on social media.

The company, 50 per cent of whose workforce is from Eastern Europe has in the past been highly critical about Brexit.

But during the hustings tour of the area last week Mr Johnson was invited into the factory near Bedale and given a demonstration of sausage making with Boris Bangers top of the menu.

Mr Johnson said he was "insanely proud" to have a banger named after him. But the publicity caused a heck of a storm on social media with protests trending on twitter. The company moved to allay criticism saying they had invited both Mr Johnson and Jeremy Hunt into the factory and the special bangers would not be going on sale. Owner Debbie Keeble who started the factory with husband Andrew said they had to work with who is going to be in power and dialogue was the only way forward.

Jay Rayner, the Observer's Food Critic said: "Two years ago I dragged my sorry **** to Helmsley to hear the owners of Heck Foods talk about how disastrous Brexit would be for their business and heard from heartbroken European employees, and now this."

Another said:"You can't tell me pics of Johnson draped in Boris Bangers were a naive mistake. You endorsed a sociopath who would watch you and your workers go under without a flicker if it got him into No.10."

Another protester said: "Are you off your trolley that is you off my shopping list."

Debbie Keeble issued a statement saying: "Fifty per cent of our work force are from Eastern Europe. We invited both candidates for leadership, to come and see us during the York Hustings . Indeed, we welcome anyone to look round our factory, whatever their views or political party. We have always said that Brexit or no Brexit, we have to make our own success, new ranges, exporting and innovating. That’s to secure jobs.

"We do not specifically endorse any candidate, we want to know how our Brexit will affect our business and team. We wanted to seize upon the chance to ask them what they are going to do to secure the long term future of our team. You have to work with who is going to be in power whatever your political view, dialogue is the only way forward.

"The Boris banger was not a prototype. We’ve made sausages for lots of people who visit. We certainly won’t be selling any.

"Lots of people have been touch from Yorkshire with messages of support which we are very grateful for. By its nature Brexit is hugely divisive but we are only going to make progress by talking. And whoever becomes Prime Minister needs to listen."