AN Abergavenny butcher struck silver in the final of the prestigious Butchery WorldSkills UK champion at the weekend.

Craig Holly, 29, from Neil Powell Butchers, Abergavenny, a former Welsh Pork Butcher of the Year, took the silver medal in a competition focussing on the essential skills required for a successful career as a multi-skilled butcher within the food manufacturing industry.

Butchers were tested for overall skill, innovation, creativity, presentation, work ethic, method and approach to tasks. They had to complete five tasks over two days under the watchful eyes of a panel of judges.

The butchery competition was organised by training provider Cambrian Training Company. Chris Jones, head of the food and drink business unit at Cambrian said, ‘The final was a close competition between five talented professionals. Every year we see an improvement in skills.’