Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is hoping for home success as two of Wales’s most promising butchers head to the grand final of a UK-wide competition.

Wrexham-born Liam Lewis, 31, and 30-year-old Craig Holly from Pontypool have both made it through regional heats to be two of six finalists at WorldSkills UK LIVE, held at the NEC Birmingham from November 21-23.

During the final they will compete against the best from England and Northern Ireland in five tasks over two days in front of a live audience.

HCC is one of the main corporate sponsors of the Worldskills UK butchery competition, which is organised by the Cambrian Training Company of Welshpool, as part of the red meat body’s long-term commitment to developing the skills of the Welsh butchery sector.

HCC Communications Manager Owen Roberts said;

“We’re very proud of Craig and Liam in getting to the final six. This is a major competition for up and coming butchers, in which Wales has a proud record, with both Matthew Edwards and Peter Rushforth tasting success in the recent past.

“The meat industry depends on highly-skilled butchers, to work in both high street stores and in larger processors, to come up with innovative products that consumers want to buy. Investing in our young butchers, we believe, will pay dividends.”

Both Liam Lewis and Craig Holly are also part of the Craft Butchery Team Wales which is currently training to take part in a major international competition in California next year.