A BUTCHER who invites his customers to taste the difference has reached the final of a national competition to find the UK s best traditional business. Paul Elleston, who owns

A BUTCHER who invites his customers to "taste the difference" has reached the final of a national competition to find the UK's best traditional business.

Paul Elleston, who owns Trussell's Butchers in London Road, Knebworth, fought off competition from four rivals to claim the 2008 Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business award for the East of England.

And on March 18, he will be representing the region in the national final, which will take place at the House of Lords.

Mr Elleston, who employs three other staff, told the WHT how his business came to be involved in the contest.

"We never put ourselves forward, it was our customers who nominated us," he said.

He added: "It isn't just butchers in the competition, it is all traditional stuff. There were farriers in there and all sorts."

After he had been nominated the shop, which bears the slogan "taste the difference", was visited by a judging panel and Mr Elleston believes a number of things about his business stood out - not least how he prepares his meat.

"All our sausages are made using natural skins," he said.

"Everything is made by hand and sourced from within the UK. That is why it tastes so different to supermarket meat."

He added: "We also run a mobile shop which was quite a good thing for the judges."

Mr Elleston, 43, who has run the store for the past 10 years, attributed his success to the hard work of his staff and the loyalty of his customers.

Of the latter, he said: "They are great - it is a friendly place and we get good feedback.

"People come from the other side of Bedford to shop here."

As for the national final next month, Mr Elleston said he would be "absolutely over the moon" if his business were to win. He added: "We would be ecstatic.