A North Camp butcher is celebrating 50 years of sausage-making success.

The Bethney Family have served the community for half a century, and current manager John has seen all the ups and downs of the meat trade.

His father, Frank, started the Queens Road business in 1952, when rationing was still going strong.

"In those days North Camp had seven butchers and two fishmongers, " said John. "My grandfather and uncles worked at Smithfields meat market in London, and so the meat business really is in the family. I started off by delivering meat to customers when I was 14. The trade has changed a great deal since then."

John has won numerous awards for his produce, and recently received acclaim in this newspaper's sausage taste test. The secret of his success is hard work, great service, and most importantly, delicious sausages.