A BUTCHER from Northwich is hoping to prove he is a cut above the rest in a national BBC competition.

Tom Birtles, from C Webb and Sons butchers, faces an anxious wait to see if he has got through to the next round in BBC Three’s Young Butcher of the Year.

The 20-year-old Weaverham man, who has worked at Webb’s since he left school, was given a grilling as one of the final 50 entrants in Manchester on Sunday.

He said: “I thought I’d done quite well – there was a sit-down written test about meat and then a five-minute interview on camera asking what I do and why I want to be Young Butcher of the Year.

“I was quite nervous, but I think anyone would be.

“I think being a butcher is intriguing, it’s something that’s unique and a real craft.

“If someone told you they were a butcher you might think it’s just cutting up meat but it’s not, it’s a different skill.

“I’ve been at Webb’s for four years but I’m still finding things out now.”

Steve Jarvis, manager at Webb’s, said he had high hopes for Tom, from Clitheroe Road.

He said: “Young Tom has come from nothing to where he is now.

“He’s quite a competent butcher, picking it up and doing really well.

“I’m chuffed for him to get where he’s got so far.

“We’re a traditional master butchers. We buy from the farm and bring it through to the shop window so he’s learned proper grass-roots butchery.

“In a couple of years he’ll be as confident as I am at buying something in the field.”

Tom, a former Weaverham High School pupil, hopes to find out if he has reached the televised stages on Monday.