NORTH Cotswold butcher Clive Porter is to hang up his apron next week after 45 years serving customers.

Clive Porter, aged 69, is calling it a day next Friday and handing on the reins to his colleague David Moore, who is taking on the lease of the shop in Mickleton High Street.

Mr Porter admitted he was sad to give up the business but said he did not want to take on a new 12-year lease at his age.

“It’s been my life. When I came to Mickleton it was all fields and I’ve seen the village grow. We have kept a traditional trade and a lot of people come from Evesham and Stratford to buy their meat,” he said.

Mr Porter’s shop, which specialises in game, is something of a Cotswold landmark, with pheasant and game hanging outside the shopfront during the winter months.

He is also marking his retirement with a belated St George’s Day dinner for about 20 people who have helped him over the years at The Churchill in Paxford on Monday.

Asked about his favourite cut of meat is, Mr Porter replied: “My favourite is sirloin of beef, boned and rolled.”