A MONMOUTHSHIRE butcher has become the only accredited Master Butcher in the whole of Wales.

Adrian Walker owns Golden Valley Meat and Game Ltd in Grosmont and earned the highest accolade possible for a butcher earlier this year.

A spokeswoman for the Meat Training Council confirmed Mr Walker is the only Wales-based butcher to have been given the award.

Mr Walker, who has been running his small family butcher business since 1988, said: “I started my butchery career working as a Saturday boy on the front counter in a local butchers shop.

“When I was 18 I started working as a senior butcher in a well-known supermarket and a year later I opened my own business.

“I had to provide a CV and complete a portfolio illustrating my knowledge and experience to support my performance criteria in all areas of the meat industry.

“I was moderated by the Meat Training Council and then a more detailed assessment was made of my portfolio and premises.

“This was submitted to the Meat Training Council Board in London.”

Mr Walker hopes the award will provide support for young, local butchers with their training.