A HOLT butchers has proved to be a cut above the rest after scooping 26 awards at a ceremony.

Staff at JT Vernon were delighted to receive 17 gold, eight silver and one bronze at the awards for Innovation and Excellence in Meat Products.

No fewer than 31 butchers battled it out at the awards ceremony, which gives butchers the chance to demonstrate their innovation and originality, in Llandudno.

JT Vernon has been in business for four generations and has gone from being a country butchers selling locally produced farm meat to the JT Vernon Food Hall, which employs 25 staff and sells its products on the internet.

The JT Vernon team believe the secret of their success lies with their Czech Republic colleagues, Yarolslav Balacek and Vladimir Hanes.

Butcher Paul Bowley said: 'Our new manufacturing team of Vladimir and Yaroslav have brought some great new ideas and techniques to the company.

'They have been bringing back traditional methods and have moved away from ready-made ingredients to fresh produce.'

Among some of the award-winning meaty morsels were their popular continental sausages, burgers, kebabs, pies and pastries.

Paul said: 'We knew we were going to win some awards, but we never expected to walk away with so many. We're really happy and quite proud.'