AFTER more than 20 years in the meat industry, two Ryedale businessmen have decided to start again from scratch.

Jerry Petch and Andrew Chandler began their working careers as trainee butchers and, until recently, were the managing director and production manager respectively within the Northern Counties Meat Group, a multi-million pound company.

However, Andrew and Jerry, a well-known local footballer, who led Slingsby FC to become runners-up in the Beckett League, had their sights set on their own butchers and meat supplying business - Castle Quality Meats, in Sheriff Hutton.

Delighted at the opening of the new venture, Jerry, once nicknamed "Tetchy Petchy" for his fiery temperament on the football field, said: "It has been a tough couple of months, but with the effort that myself and my colleague Andrew Chandler have put in, it has finally taken shape. I am really pleased; we're just hoping that it will be a success!"

Castle Quality Meats butcher's shop and factory are located on the Sheriff Hutton industrial site.

For more information call (01347) 878222 or call in to the shop.

Updated: 09:53 Monday, December 22, 2003