TWO and a half years after the Haynes family sold their house in Swindon to follow their dreams, their butchers shop in Corsham has been named as the best in the south west.

Toby Haynes Butchers, which is run by husband and wife Toby and Alison Haynes on the High Street, has been named as the Countryside Alliance’s winner of the butcher category in the region.

Nominated by customers, the Haynes have had to beat off stiff competition from thousands of others in the south west and now await the decision of the national judges on April 25.

“We are absolutely over the moon,” Mr Haynes said. “We sold everything we had in Swindon two years ago so that we could take the plunge and buy this place and we have really turned it around.

“To get to this stage, we had to be nominated by a customer and I think that reflects our involvement with the local community.

“Countryside Alliance look at how you support the local community and local businesses, and I could actually name the breeds and the farmers that we buy our produce from - that’s really important to me.”

The Haynes, who have three children Poppy, 12, Archie, four, and Phoebe, 20 months, are delighted with the accolade but believe they could go on to take the national crown too.

“We never thought we would get this far, let alone win” said the 33-year-old, who has worked in the industry for the last 14 years. “I looked at the other finalists online and they looked well established and had modern shops, but there must be something about us if we stand out amongst the crowd.

“I really do think it’s to do with our commitment to buying produce locally and if that’s been well received, then who knows, we really might be in with a chance with the judges.

“If it is the end of the road though, then we’re fine with being the best butcher in the region.”