A BATTLE of the best sauce has been brought to the doorsteps of Lea and Perrins when a rival brand placed a cheeky sign on a Welcome to Worcestershire sign.

Sauce makers Geo Watkins said it was embarking on a "friendly war against Lea and Perrins".

The company, based in Leigh, Lancashire, has a mushroom-based ketchup and a vegan alternative to Worcestershire sauce called 'Anchovy Sauce', available at Tesco and Waitrose countrywide.

Brand owner Chris Crosby was made aware that a fan had installed a sign at one of the Worcestershire signs.

The sign reads: "Sorry about your sauce! We've got your back! The ultimate umami sauce" and features a picture of the anchovy sauce and a plain orange bottled sauce resembling Lea and Perrins.

READ MORE: Nurse nominated at Worcestershire health and Social Care awards

Worcester News: Chris Crosby, brand owner of Geo Watkins.Chris Crosby, brand owner of Geo Watkins. (Image: Chris Crosby)

Mr Crosby said: "I have no idea how the sign got there, it was sent to me this morning.

"People are clearly passionate about our brand.

"It is good to see some of our umami army about in Worcestershire waging a friendly war against Lea and Perrins.

"We offer a vegan alternative which in my opinion is better."

Mr Crosby said that the picture was taken on the A38 as you leave Worcestershire on the way towards Cheltenham and the M50.

He spoke about the brand and the history of its most famous product, mushroom ketchup.

He said: "I took on the brand a year ago but the story of Geo Watkins goes back to the 1830s.

"Mushroom ketchup was basically the original sauce and was used in lots of cooking to add umami flavour.

"The brand started bottling the stuff in Camden Town and we continue to do so to this day."

READ MORE: Former Royal George pub turned home listed for £650,000

Unfazed, a Kraft Heinz spokesperson said Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is "unrivalled".

They said: "We welcome anyone who loves Worcestershire as much as we do.

"It’s not the first time someone has tried to replicate the delicious taste of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, and we can’t blame them.

"The quality and flavour of Lea and Perrins is unrivalled and the brand’s longstanding history speaks for itself – just ask the people of Worcester, who’ve been making it since 1837."