The annual Butcher Shop of the Year awards were recently held at the Landmark Hotel in London and a Narberth-based butcher shop gained top honours.

Andrew Rees and Sons Ltd was named the Best Butcher Shop in Wales and a UK runner-up.

This is a particularly prestigious award to win as it is sponsored by the Meat Trader Journal, meaning the butchers are judged by their expert peers.

Established in 1988, this award-winning butchers was started by Andrew Rees who at the time was 23-years-old and had a dream of owning his own butchery business.

Narberth-born and bred, Andrew was adamant that if he did ever own his own business, it would be in Narberth, a town about which he is passionate.

As luck would have it, a premises came up for sale, and after a number of rejections, Andrew was able to secure a loan from a bank and his future parents-in-law in order to fulfil his dream. The rest as they say is history!

Andrew Rees and Sons Ltd now consists of a superb retail shop along with a state-of-the-art catering unit, supplying over 200 restaurants, pubs and tourist attractions.

Andrew believes the success of his business is down to the locally reared meat that he sells.

"We are fortunate in Pembrokeshire to have some superb farmers who rear top quality produce," he said. "I am proud to be able to tell my customers exactly what farm the meat they are buying came from. Not only does this give them peace of mind, as very often they will know the farmer concerned, but it also dramatically cuts down on food miles."

The shop specialises in Welsh beef, Welsh pork and Welsh lamb, not only in the prime joints, but also in the home-made mince, burgers and sausages.

In addition, all poultry is also sourced locally, along with game and fish. The shop also has a hot counter serving pork and beef rolls, hot pies and pasties and cooked meats.

The shop is managed by Dave Townsend, a butcher with many years of experience, ably supported by Chris Rogers, assistant manager, and a team of butchers and shop assistants.

Andrew is under no illusions as to the importance of a good team.

"The business would be nothing without my staff. They are all skilled and hard working and I am so lucky to have such a great team to work with."

This latest award will take pride of place in the shop along with other awards the business has won, including bronze and silver True Taste awards, Pembrokeshire Business awards and the Daily Telegraph and Countryside Alliance Best Rural Retailer award.