A BUTCHER plans to beef up Valentine Day celebrations by offering meat from some of the finest prime cattle in the country.

Anthony Kitson owner of Kitson & Sons Butchers created history late last year when buying the overall supreme champion beef cattle at all three of the country’s principal Christmas primestock shows – the English and Royal Welsh Winter Fairs and LiveScot.

Earlier he also bought the champion bullock from the 2016 East of England Smithfield Festival. It is believed to be the first time that an independent family-run retail butchers has achieved this unique four-timer.

Mr Kitson, whose shops are in Northallerton, Stockton and Hutton Rudby, said: "Having bought a total of 116 prime cattle from across the country for our customers’ 2016 Christmas tables, we decided to retain the four principals until the New Year for our Valentine’s trade."

They have been further improved by the Atkinson family, from Beck Hill Farm, Scorton, who look after cattle for Kitsons and supply prime lambs on a weekly basis.

Mr Kitson hosted a visit from LiveScot champion Wilson Peters, from Perthshire, and English Winter Fair champion James May, of Bromsgrove, and officials from both organisations.

Following a visit to the Northallerton shop and lunch at Thirsk auction mart, they visited JA Jewitt Meats’ abattoir at Middlestone Moor, Spenymoor, where the four carcases were hanging for inspection.

There the group agreed their "Great British Beef" champion was the LiveScot victor, closely followed by the Smithfield, English and Welsh champions.

All four champions are now being fully matured to ensure the meat is in perfect eating condition for the Valentine’s trade.

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