A CITY butchers has proved it’s a cut above the rest after triumphing in a Hampshire-wide meat contest.

Uptons Butchers, of Bassett, wowed judges at the Great Hampshire Sausage Competition with its Italian pork variety, fighting off challenges from 200 other entries.

On the menu at the annual contest, which was organised by Hampshire Fare, were sausages, pies, faggots and ready meals, from producers across the county.

As well as scooping the top ‘Supreme Champion’ award Uptons also picked up a trophy in the ‘Speciality Pork Sausage’ category.

“Winning the ‘Supreme Champion’ award is a dream come true,” said Uptons’ Simon Broadribb. “This makes all the hard work we put into the business worthwhile.”

The event, held at Sparsholt College near Winchester, attracted entries from 29 Hampshire producers.

“It’s about championing and rewarding quality in meat products,” said Tim Brock, of Hampshire Fare.

“It’s about supporting our independent retail butchers and farm shops and getting people to use them more. It’s about helping our livestock farmers in Hampshire and supporting them, to keep Hampshire green as we all would like it.”

Other winners included: Greenfield Pork Products, Andover (Traditional Pork Sausage); Hedge End Butchers, Hedge End (Beef & Lamb Speciality Sausage and New Forest Marque Sausage); Stephen E Humby Butchers, Copnor (Hampshire Sausage).

Also picking up gongs were: Manydown Farm Shop, Basingstoke (Speciality Cold Eating Pie and Speciality Hot Eating Pie); Newlyns Lodge Farm, Hook (Traditional Pork Pie); Soles Butchers, Alresford (Ready Meal); Price Farm Foods, Fordingbridge (Home Cured Bacon); CE Evans & Sons, Alresford (Meatball & Faggot); Greenfield Pork Products, Andover (Hampshire Farmers’ Market).